Above Images: Funk, circa 2010
Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: May 12, 2010 from Powell, Tennessee Classification: Endangered Missing Date Of Birth: October 12, 1990 Age: 19 years old Height and Weight: 5'10, 130 pounds Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian male. Blond hair, blue eyes. Funk has the following tattoos: a four-leaf clover on the top of his right foot, a rose vine and a skull on his left leg, the phrase "Never Give Up" above his navel, the word "Courage" spelled lengthwise on his right side, Corvette flags above his left hip, a wing on each bicep above the elbow, a five-pointed star on each bicep below this elbow, a four-pointed star on the inside of each upper arm, black and red pinstripes on the inside of each wrist, a Yin symbol with a dead fish and the word "Death" on his left outer arm, a Yang symbol with a live fish and the word "Life" on his right outer arm, and theatrical faces and a gun somewhere on his body. He has surgical scars on his left hip and the inside of his right wrist. Funk's nickname is Scud. His hair was in a crew cut at the time of his disappearance. Clothing/Jewelry Description: Either a gray sweatshirt, blue jeans and sneakers OR white shorts, white Nike sneakers and a white short-sleeved t-shirt with the words "OAK RIDGE, TENN" centered on the front and a red Big Ed's Pizza logo of a man's face with a hand holding a toothpick in his mouth.
Details of Disappearance
Funk was last seen in Powell, Tennessee on May 12, 2010. He was visiting a female friend there and left her home at about midnight. A few minutes later she called him on his cellular phone and they talked for several minutes before Funk ended the conversation, saying he was tired and needed to concentrate on driving. He never arrived at his own home fifteen miles away, on Coffman Street in south Knoxville, Tennessee. He worked for the East Tennessee Railroad in Oak Ridge, Tennessee at the time of his disappearance, and was reported missing after he didn't show up for work. His white 1992 or 1996 Ford Ranger pickup truck has not been found. A photo of a similar truck is posted below this case summary. It may have the license plate number 422-HHJ.Funk was carrying a cellular phone and bank cards at the time of his disappearance, but his cellular phone is turned off and there hasn't been any activity on the cards. He is a 2009 graduate of Oak Ridge High School and had worked as a welder for East Tennessee Railcar Services for two years. He moved to Knoxville the month before his disappearance; he was renting a house with an option to buy.
Funk and his girlfriend of several years broke up shortly before his disappearance. They remained friendly, however, and she was staying at his house while looking for another place to live. Funk's family stated he was under a lot of stress, but contrary to some reports they said he wasn't depressed. Authorities did uncover evidence that he used drugs, and they think drugs may have been a factor in his disappearance. His case remains unsolved. Knoxville police are investigating. Foul play is suspected.
Above: Vehicle similar to Funk's truck
Investigating Agency
Source Information
Updated 3 times since October 12, 2004.
Last updated March 21, 2011; details of disappearance updated.
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Knoxville Police Department
865-215-4010
The National Center For Missing and Exploited Children
The Oak Ridger
Someone is Missing
WATE
The Laura Recovery Center Foundation
NamUs
The Knoxville News