Iolan Dennis Lushbough, 45, remains missing after he was last spotted more than two weeks ago in rural Neosho County.
Lushbough’s van was spotted in a wooded field near the intersection of 1700 Street and Arizona Road Friday afternoon, Allen County Sheriff Bryan Murphy said, prompting another search of the area — including use of a helicopter — to no avail.
The vehicle had a flat tire and was low on gas, Murphy said, but was otherwise undamaged.
There was no evidence of any kind of struggle, he said, although illegal narcotics were found inside.
Murphy said Lushbough was last seen the morning of Aug. 13, near the Neosho River in northern Neosho County.
He and a female acquaintance got into an argument, Murphy said, prompting the woman to leave Lushbough and the vehicle.
The woman was attempting to find a relative’s house, but mistakenly went to a Neosho County sheriff’s deputy’s home along Harper Road which eventually becomes 1700 Street as it enters Allen County.
Relatives became concerned after they didn’t hear from Lushbough afterward.
“We’ve been all over that part of the county, and couldn’t find anything,” Murphy said.
A pilot flying a crop-duster spotted the van from overhead Friday afternoon.
The vehicle was parked far enough into the timber that it could not be seen from the road, Murphy noted, which also isn’t unusual. “He may not have wanted anybody to mess with it if he’d had car trouble,” Murphy said. “We don’t know.”
Murphy said law enforcement from both Allen and Neosho counties have searched the area, including knocking on doors and checking outbuildings, barns and other structures.
“Nobody remembers seeing him,” Murphy said.
Lushbough is about 5-6 and weighs 180 pounds.
Anybody with information about Lushbough’s whereabouts should call the Allen County Sheriff’s Department at 365-1400.
Murphy said there was no evidence to suggest Lushboughs’ disappearance was connected to Teryn William Scott, a 14-year-old Iola boy who was reported missing Aug. 21.
Scott is about 5-10, 125 pounds with medium length brown hair, brown eyes and a slender build.
Anyone with information about Scott’s whereabouts is encouraged to call the Iola Police Department at 365-4960.
Search on for missing Iola man
