The Peoria Police Department and community members have intensified the search for 20-year-old hiker Luke Wuennenberg, who has been missing since last Saturday. Wuennenberg left his home near N. 126th Avenue and N. Westland Road for a hike and was last seen that afternoon near a desert area a few miles west of his home, according to FOX 10 Phoenix.
Peoria police reported that Wuennenberg's vehicle was found near a hiking area, prompting a search involving the Phoenix Firebird helicopter, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue mounted unit, and bloodhounds from the Arizona Department of Corrections. Despite these efforts, officials are now seeking public assistance. "At this point, our search efforts have been exhausted and we ask for the help of the public should someone see or hear something regarding Luke," police stated to FOX 10 Phoenix.
Over 48 hours have passed since Wuennenberg was reported missing. His mother, Melissa Wuennenberg, said, "It’s just the unknown. You just don’t know. You wonder why, and if he’s hurt or if he can respond or if there's something else going on that we're not aware of." Search efforts have covered the desert between northwest Peoria and Surprise. Volunteer Arthur Huseonica said, "I found out about this this morning, and I'm going, I gotta go help Luke's family find him," as reported by 12 News. Police stated on Monday will be the final day for large-scale searches, though community members plan to continue independently. Wuennenberg was last seen wearing a black T-shirt, gray shorts, black shoes, and carrying a dark-colored backpack. He is 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 130 pounds. Anyone with information is asked to contact Peoria Police at 623-773-8311 or dial 911.
