Subject Of Golden Alert In Whitley County Found Dead

A Golden Alert issued Thursday evening in Whitley County had a tragic end with the discovery of the missing man’s body, according to the Whitley County Sheriff.

The alert was issued around 6:00 p.m. for Orie Perkins, 85, of Whitley County.

He had last been seen approximately 12-hours before the alert was issued and it was feared that medical issues could have endangered him, according to the sheriff.

After an exhaustive search by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, State Police, numerous fire departments and volunteers, Perkins’ vehicle was found over an embankment near the intersection of Highway 25 and Mountain Ash Road about three hours after the alert was issued, according to the sheriff.

Perkins was pronounced dead at the scene.

Perkins worked for the Whitley County School District in many capacities over the years, including as principal and coach, according to the sheriff.

The sheriff said Perkins had a positive impact on the lives of many people in Whitley County.