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
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Practicality (anonymous) says…
Maybe he was looking for the Turtle and didn't know that it had been found?
geekyhost (anonymous) says…
Oh, thank goodness! His family thought he was dead. I'm so glad it wasn't the case.
Perly (anonymous) says…
This is really great news!
cheeseburger (anonymous) says…
Not the outcome I was expecting, but glad he is OK. Hope he did or will get things figured out.
parrothead8 (anonymous) replies…
Ditto.
4everahawk (anonymous) says…
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 (anonymous) replies…
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.
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
FrancescaPFurbottom (anonymous) replies…
what a troll.
dudedog12 (anonymous) replies…
ditto
beatle919 (Marcy McGuffie) says…
Wonderful news!
cschott (anonymous) says…
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 (anonymous) says…
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.
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
drewnon (anonymous) replies…
I know Luke, and I doubt that.
sunny (anonymous) says…
How disrespectful!
cschott (anonymous) says…
Some of you need to show a little respect and privacy for the family.
Confrontation (anonymous) replies…
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 (anonymous) says…
No it is not the "LJWorld's style" It is individual " style" and there is no style in many of the above comments.
none2 (anonymous) says…
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 (anonymous) says…
Time for some of you to find something more constructive to do with your three day week-end and Enjoy it!
cschott (anonymous) says…
Or the Randy Leach story:
www.randyleach.com
Dejacrew423 (anonymous) replies…
And it has begun.
twen (anonymous) says…
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 (anonymous) says…
I'm happy for that guy