Search effort for missing teen widens

STE. GENEVIEVE, Mo. -- A search for a missing Ste. Genevieve teen spread to the Mississippi River Friday.

Wade Lurk, 17, was last seen sleeping in his car early April 1 at Goose Creek, a campsite near the border of Ste. Genevieve and St. Francois counties.

Authorities have searched rural areas throughout Ste. Genevieve County, and on Friday began searching the Mississippi River's Little Rock Landing, also known as the Modoc Ferry Landing, said Ste. Genevieve County Sheriff's Department Maj. Howard Dohack.

The Missouri State Water Patrol was at the landing, using a boat equipped with sonar to search for the boy's missing vehicle, a 1990 Nissan Stanza.

"It seemed like a logical place if someone were looking to ditch a car," Dohack said.

While there was no evidence to suggest the vehicle may have been brought to the landing, nor evidence to suggest foul play, Dohack said investigators were "just trying to cover all our bases."

Before going missing, the teen had been attending a party with about 40 others at Goose Greek.

His car had Missouri license plates 720WWC.

The sheriff's department has received numerous tips, and on Thursday the department's Web site about the missing teen saw 38,800 hits, Dohack said.

Anyone with information should call the Ste. Genevieve County Sheriff's Department at (573) 883-5820.