UPDATE: The Coast Guard announced the suspension of its search. Click here for the story.
WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH – A 58-year-old Wilmington man reported missing by his wife Tuesday after he went for a swim has been identified as Charles “Chuck” Kuebler.
The search in the area of Wrightsville Beach continued Wednesday but, as of 10 a.m., the search had yielded no results, according to Wrightsville Beach Police Chief Daniel House.
Officers first received the missing person report at about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. Kuebler’s wife reported that he had left their home at about 7:45 a.m. Tuesday to go for a swim at Wrightsville Beach, House said. Ocean rescue had witnessed a man matching his description swimming that morning.
Kuebler had parked his vehicle in the Roberts Grocery store parking lot on Lumina Avenue, House said. His wife found his parked vehicle after learning he did not show up for work.
Kuebler has been a big advocate for youth sports in Wilmington for the past two decades. He is a staple at nearly every sporting event in the area and most recently served as head of the booster club at Laney High School.
“All we know is we have a missing person at this point,” House said.
The Wrightsville Beach Police Department is asking assistance from anyone with information that would assist the investigation. The town’s public information officer can be reached at 910-524-0092.
Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue, Wrightsville Beach Police Department and the U.S. Coast Guard conducted a search of the water and beach strand around Wrighstville Beach and neighboring islands Tuesday evening and throughout the night, House said.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Coast Guard began its search at about 5:41 p.m. and launched a 45-foot response boat to search for Kuebler within minutes. A helicopter from Elizabeth City also took part in the search Tuesday but did not launch until around 7:40 p.m. due to thunderstorms.
At this time, the Wrightsville Beach Police Department is treating this case as a missing person House said Wednesday morning. Officers are continuing their search along with the occean rescue and the U.S. Coast Guard.
The Wrightsville Beach Police Department is asking assistance from anyone with information that would assist the investigation. The town’s public information officer can be reached at 910-524-0092.
