Oak Ridge Today

KPD: Remains found under water last week identified as Derek Funk

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Derek Funk

Derek Funk

Note: This story was updated at 4:15 p.m.

The remains found near a pickup truck under water in south Knoxville last week have been identified as those of Derek Ryan Funk, an Oak Ridge High School graduate who went missing almost four years ago, when he was 19, authorities said.

“The cause of death is still undetermined,” the Knoxville Police Department said in a Tuesday afternoon statement. “The investigation is continuing.”

The 1996 Ford Ranger pickup truck found last week was last seen being driven by Funk in 2010. The pickup was found upside down and under water in the 1400 block of Island Home Avenue in Knoxville on Thursday. On Friday, the KPD announced that a dive team had found unidentified human remains near the truck.

Funk went to Oak Ridge High School—he graduated in 2009—and his parents live in Oak Ridge. He had been missing since May 12, 2010. [Read more…]

Dive team finds more human remains near underwater pickup

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Derek Funk Pickup

A truck pulled from the water in south Knoxville may have belonged to a missing local man, according to Knoxville police. (Photo courtesy WBIR-TV)

More human remains have been found by a dive team near a pickup truck found under water on Thursday and last seen being driven by a man missing since 2010, authorities said.

The Knoxville Police Department said the 1996 Ford Ranger pickup truck found upside down and under water on Thursday is the same vehicle last seen being driven by Derek Ryan Funk, 19, who has been missing since May 12, 2010.

Earlier Friday, a Knoxville Volunteer Rescue Squad dive team had reported finding human remains near the pickup truck in the 1400 block of Island Home Avenue in South Knoxville, although it wasn’t clear if the remains belonged to Funk. Funk went to Oak Ridge High School, and his parents live in Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Pickup truck driven by missing man found under water; remains not identified yet

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Derek Funk

Derek Funk (Photo courtesy KPD)

Note: This story was updated at 2:27 p.m.

A dive team has located unidentified human remains near a pickup truck that was last seen being driven by a man with Oak Ridge ties who has been missing since 2010, authorities said.

The 1996 Ford Ranger pickup truck was found upside down and under water in the 1400 block of Island Home Avenue in Knoxville on Thursday, Knoxville Police Department spokesman Darrell DeBusk said. It’s the same vehicle last seen being driven by Derek Ryan Funk, 19, who has been missing since May 12, 2010.

Funk went to Oak Ridge High School—he graduated in 2009—and his parents live in Oak Ridge.

DeBusk said the remains haven’t been identified yet. [Read more…]