Luke Stevens
Tonganoxie — It was a phone call that Luke Stevens’ parents had hoped would come.
Danny Stevens and Joyce Stevens lost contact with their 23-year-old son in late May. His truck was found a few days later at Longview Lake near south Kansas City, Mo.
About 10 p.m. Thursday, Danny received a call.
It was Luke, calling from a pay phone in Kansas City, Mo. He asked that his father pick him up. Danny drove to Kansas City and brought his son home.
“Well, it’s great to have him back,” Danny said during a telephone interview Friday. “What do you say? How do you act? They don’t teach anything about this at Lamaze class.”
Luke was last seen May 26 at his Tonganoxie home. His truck was found June 2. At the time, Joyce handed out fliers near the lake with information about Luke and asked for assistance in finding him through a blog and Facebook. Tonganoxie police investigated Luke’s disappearance as a missing persons case.
“It’s not the outcome I expected at all, but I am so happy about it,” Joyce said. “I was just really surprised and started crying.”
Back at home, Luke was resting Friday. Danny said Luke “just had been laying low” since leaving home in late May.
“He hadn’t really been anywhere or with anyone,” Danny said. “He just needed some time type-of-thing.”
Danny didn’t discuss particulars of Luke’s absence, but said “it’s going to take a period of adjustment” now that he has returned home.
Tonganoxie police Sgt. Russell Moore said Friday the department hadn’t contacted the family about interviews, but police were notified that Luke had returned home.
“Obviously we’re thankful that he turned up,” Moore said.
Danny commended the department’s work.
“They all did a great job with the search,” Danny said. “They did all they could to assist.”
Comments
Practicality 2 years, 8 months ago
Maybe he was looking for the Turtle and didn't know that it had been found?
geekyhost 2 years, 8 months ago
Oh, thank goodness! His family thought he was dead. I'm so glad it wasn't the case.
Perly 2 years, 8 months ago
This is really great news!
cheeseburger 2 years, 8 months ago
Not the outcome I was expecting, but glad he is OK. Hope he did or will get things figured out.
parrothead8 2 years, 8 months ago
Ditto.
4everahawk 2 years, 8 months ago
This is good news. Has anyone heard an update on the man in the KC area that was discovered after missing for about a month in that park area...the one whose daughter was going to be married and postponed the wedding?
CWGOKU 2 years, 8 months ago
They found him in teh park about a month ago wandering around. He is OK, have not heard an update as to why he was in the park so long and if something is wrong with him, but he is home now.
OldEnuf2BYurDad 2 years, 8 months ago
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
budtugly 2 years, 8 months ago
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
FrancescaPFurbottom 2 years, 8 months ago
what a troll.
dudedog12 2 years, 8 months ago
ditto
Marcy McGuffie 2 years, 8 months ago
Wonderful news!
Dejacrew423 2 years, 8 months ago
Why should he go to jail? I'm sorry his family worried about him but isn't it his right to just get up and walk away from life if he wants to? I mean, I am so happy he came back to ease his families worries but he can do as he pleases. My own birth father just got up and walked out on his family, children, and friends over 14 years ago. I went years not knowing if he was alive or dead. He just recently contacted me through email a couple years ago. While I wish so bad he would realize what he did to his family, I don't think he deserves a jail sentence for leaving........ now the not paying child support, that's a different thought.
jystevens 2 years, 8 months ago
My son is not a lowlife. He has not done anything for which he needs to be put in jail. We are very, very glad to have him back home.
Jane 2 years, 8 months ago
I'm glad you have your son back home. Do yourself a favor and don't read these comments, some here can be very nasty. Some here would demand a bacteria count on the milk of human kindness! Just be happy he is home and let the trolls find other topics to spew on...just my two cents.
FarneyMac 2 years, 8 months ago
Joyce,
Congratulations on getting your son back. I don't know you or him or the situation, but it's an all-too-rare happy ending to this saga. I just hope that everything is OK and if your son needs any help or counseling, that he gets it and works through whatever issues he may have been facing. Not a value judgment by any means.
Alia Ahmed 2 years, 8 months ago
Joyce, I am so happy to hear your son is home and that the heartache of not knowing is over.
riverdrifter 2 years, 8 months ago
Bromidumbsis, Everybody has the right to go away -including you. Just do it.
Pywacket 2 years, 8 months ago
Posting gold! Made me laugh.
cschott 2 years, 8 months ago
Sometimes you just need time away. He's back. I'm glad. Nothing more needs to be said. It's not our business.
Thanks for coming home, Luke.
tomcats 2 years, 8 months ago
This is a happy ending. I hope this young man and his family can do some healing and move on with life!!!! Best of luck.
mushhawk 2 years, 8 months ago
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drewnon 2 years, 8 months ago
I know Luke, and I doubt that.
sunny 2 years, 8 months ago
How disrespectful!
cschott 2 years, 8 months ago
Some of you need to show a little respect and privacy for the family.
Confrontation 2 years, 8 months ago
Obviously, this isn't important to the LJWorld, or they'd disable comments on these stories. Also, the family shouldn't be reading these comments if they don't want to be offended. It's the LJWorld's style.
artichokeheart 2 years, 8 months ago
No it is not the "LJWorld's style" It is individual " style" and there is no style in many of the above comments.
none2 2 years, 8 months ago
I think the young man needs to give an explanation of his actions to his family and friends. He does NOT owe an explanation to anybody else. For now, I'm sure they are just happy he wasn't killed or injured. Nevertheless, that is between them and not the general public.
As to jail time as someone proposed, that makes no sense. If a lot of money was spent by law enforcement, I could see where they may want to be compensated. I would make the analogy of a prank 911.
Nevertheless, just think of those that never do see their loved ones again. In my mind, I think of the recent story of Alicia DeBolt. She was the 14 year old that was murdered in Great Bend, KS a couple of weeks ago. I'm sure here parents would have loved it if she had just been laying low a few months instead of murdered by some monster. Just be thankful for now that this story had a non-fatal ending.
kernal 2 years, 8 months ago
Time for some of you to find something more constructive to do with your three day week-end and Enjoy it!
cschott 2 years, 8 months ago
Or the Randy Leach story:
www.randyleach.com
Dejacrew423 2 years, 8 months ago
And it has begun.
twen 2 years, 8 months ago
Congratulations and Best wishes to Luke's family. Luke...in the event you may read this, please know that I'm happy you are safe and that you will always have a special place in our hearts. Your presence during our uncertain times was greatly appreciated and we wish for you all the best!! Twen
kempel 2 years, 8 months ago
I'm happy for that guy
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