Michael Giovanni Cocchini
Derek LuekingGATLINBURG, Tenn. (AP) - Rangers in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park have begun a search for a missing Nashville man.
The search for Michael Giovanni Cocchini began late Tuesday as park personnel continued a search begun earlier for Derek Lueking of Blount County.
Park spokesman Bob Miller said in a news release that Cocchini was last seen by friends at a Sevierville Walmart Sunday afternoon. The 23-year-old Cocchini was staying in Gatlinburg.
He is described as being 6 feet tall, weighing 160 pounds and having short black hair and a scruffy beard. He was last seen wearing blue jeans, a white T-shirt and light tennis shoes with blue stripes.
Rangers became suspicious when they noticed a vehicle had been parked since Sunday near the Sugarland Information Center.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
