Search For Missing Man Continues At Mammoth Cave Park

Edmonson Voice Staff​
On Thursday, November 19, 2015, at approximately 2:30 p.m., Mammoth Cave National Park staff began to investigate an abandoned vehicle in the visitor center parking lot, according to a press release from the park.
 
The vehicle is registered to Randy Rascoe, a native of Glasgow, Ky.  Park rangers performed a hasty search of the headquarters area, with no results, and Mr. Rascoe's family was notified.
 
The press release also stated that on Friday, November 20, Park staff, Edmonson County Emergency Management Director Pat Prunty, and seven volunteers from Edmonson County searched park facilities and about a ¼-mile radius from the location of the visitor center parking lot, with no results.
 
On Saturday, November 21, the search was expanded with the help of volunteers from Hart County Rescue Squad, Butler County Rescue Squad, Edmonson County Search and Rescue, and Park staff.  Edmonson County volunteers also used a search dog.

Pat Prunty said the area that was being searched is what would seem to be a logical area near the visitor's center. "On Saturday, we wanted to concentrate on an area that was approximately 1150 acres," he said. "We received a wind advisory around 1:30 pm, and because of so much debris in the park, it was best if we postponed the search until conditions improved. There were only two small areas left to search within our designated area, probably about an hour's worth."

Sheriff Shane Doyle said the sheriff's office has not been asked to join the search at this time. "We have no jurisdiction in Mammoth Cave National Park and we only respond to that area when we're requested to do so," he said. "We're readily available should our office receive a request for any type of assistance."

Vickie Carson, Public Information Officer for the park, said the search had continued on Sunday morning. "Today, we have Edmonson County volunteers and park staff covering the remaining area as well as previously searched areas," she said. "Mr. Rascoe's family said he enjoys the outdoors and it's assumed he may have taken a trail here in the park." Carson also said there was no proof that Rascoe had been an actual visitor of the park, or that he'd purchased any type of tour. 

Carson said the car was parked in an area where it would be difficult to notice that it had been there for an extended period of time. "The family is also looking into other possibilities that we don't know."

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Above: photos of Randy Rascoe, submitted by his brother, Steve Rascoe

Prunty said a thorough search from all agencies had been conducted, which included the Green River and all the bluff areas as well. He said a cadaver dog had been utilized, but that it had not picked up any scent or signal.

Carson extended thanks and appreciation to all the help so far. "We appreciate our local volunteers so much."
 
A statement from the park said that Mr. Rascoe has not communicated with his family for several months. 
 
The family has asked for anyone with knowledge of Mr. Rascoe to contact the Park Watch phone line at (888) 219-1599, to leave a recorded message.