ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Search and rescue crews are looking for a missing person in Linville Gorge after the person’s vehicle was found at a trailhead Sunday, Nov. 8.
The vehicle was located at Pine Gap Trailhead, according to a Monday announcement from Burke County Emergency Services and Emergency Management. The search is being conducted in support of the Black Mountain Police Department, which is investigating the disappearance.
Separately, Black Mountain police issued a missing-person alert Nov. 3 for Justin Quinn Lobdell, who had not been seen since Halloween evening, Oct. 31. His family reported him missing, and police said he was last known to be in Marion, driving a black 2023 Hyundai Elantra with tinted windows and stickers on the back.
Authorities have not said whether Lobdell’s disappearance is connected to the Linville Gorge search.
Burke County officials have not identified the person being sought in the gorge or released a description of the vehicle found at the trailhead.
Multiple agencies are assisting in the search, including Burke County Emergency Management, Burke County EMS Special Operations, the Burke County Rescue Squad, the Burke County Sheriff’s Office, Burke County 911 TERT and Linville Central Rescue.
North Carolina Emergency Management, the Asheville Fire Department’s Field Communications Task Force and U.S. Forest Service law enforcement officers are also involved.
Rescue crews planned to continue searching through the remaining daylight hours Monday and resume their efforts Tuesday, Nov. 10.
Anyone with information about Lobdell’s whereabouts is asked to call or text Black Mountain Police Detective Cruz at 828-301-6589.