Marion County authorities to resume search for missing man on Signal Mountain

On the trail to Edwards Point.
On the trail to Edwards Point.
photo Ronnie "Bo" Burnett

If the weather remains clear, Marion County authorities this morning will resume a search for an off-road motorcycle rider reported missing since early Monday in the remote, rural area on the west side of Signal Mountain near the Hamilton-Marion county line.

Search efforts were scaled back Tuesday morning, Marion County Sheriff Ronnie "Bo" Burnett said, because a pair of detectives had been called in to sort out information to plan a more precise search for 38-year-old Chad Cook.

Police said Cook went riding off-road motorcycles with acquaintances between the Edwards Point area on Signal Mountain in Hamilton County and the Big Fork area in Marion County near the headwaters of Suck Creek.

Authorities said Cook was last seen when his motorcycle broke down around 2 a.m. Monday. Rescuers from Hamilton, Marion and Sequatchie counties searched all day Monday until passing rains made the work too difficult and dangerous Monday night, officials said.

Tuesday afternoon, the two detectives were joined by five deputies and the Tennessee Highway Patrol helicopter, which arrived toward evening to take a look from the air. Burnett hoped the helicopter would get a couple of hours to scour the search area before dark closed in.

Searchers on Monday also found Cook's dirt bike but no trace of him, Hamilton County Emergency Services spokeswoman Amy Maxwell said in an emailed statement. Maxwell said family members reported Cook missing while his acquaintances were later found safe.

After Cook's bike broke down, Burnett said, a couple of members of the group went to get a truck to retrieve the motorcycle. When they returned, they weren't able to find him, he said.

About 3 miles of bluff lies between Edwards Point and the Big Fork areas of Signal Mountain. The Cumberland Trail also skirts the bluff line on the west side of the mountain where searchers are looking for Cook, and a number of off-road trails criss-cross the forest.

Authorities said when he was last seen, Cook was wearing orange and black leather pants and jacket.

"We still don't know where he's at. It's a large area out there," Burnett said. Marion can draw help if needed from its three neighboring counties, the sheriff said.

Contact staff writer Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6569.

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