Search For Duesterhaus 'Still Very Much A Missing Persons Case'

Update: Fairfax County Police Say Duesterhaus Was Distraught When He Disappeared
Fairfax County Police search for Vienna native, O'Connell teacher 'Still Very Much A Missing Persons Case'
By Erica R. Hendry

Update 5:34 pm: Fairfax County Police say Tom Duesterhaus was distraught when he was last seen in the Virginia Beach area on Saturday, and there's concern for his well-being.

Lucy Caldwell, a spokeswoman for the department, said both Duesterhaus and his car were entered into the National Crime Information Center, a computerized index of crime information available to departments across the country, earlier today.

Duesterhaus, 37,  who lives in McLean, is white, 6 foot 3 inches tall and 190 pounds. He has blond hair and green eyes.

Original: Search For Duesterhaus 'Still Very Much A Missing Persons Case'

Fairfax County Police are leading the search for Vienna native and Bishop O'Connell High School English teacher Tom Duesterhaus, who has been missing since Saturday.

"This is still very much a missing persons case," Officer Bud Walker said.

The search is focused in Virginia Beach, Walker said, where Duesterhaus was last seen. He was scheduled to attend a four-day retreat there starting Monday, friends said.

Police could not confirm where exactly Duesterhaus was last seen, or, if any of his belongings have been recovered. But they said they have not located his car, and don't consider it to be stolen.

"If people see him, they need to give us a call. Or if you know where he is, tell him, 'People think you're missing. You need to call your family,'" Walker said. 

Mike Nelson used to room with Duesterhaus and both were members of the McLean-based Youth Apostles group. Nelson said he had lost touch with Duesterhaus over the past few months — but that this kind of disappearance is unusual for the community-oriented teacher, son, brother and friend.

"It is definitely out of character for him to go days without contacting anyone," Nelson said.

Nelson said Wednesday that Duesterhaus was last seen driving his 1999 blue Buick LeSabre, with Virginia plates  XMT-8126.

Police said "Duesterhaus has been known to frequent parks and shelters."

Anyone with information should contact Detective Chris Flanagan at 703-246-7860 or the Fairfax County Police Department at 703-691-2131 or Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS.