Popsonian

I am posting here a story about my cousin Randy. Please keep his family in prayer-there is so much healing needed here!

Randy Scott Huegel

Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance

Missing Since: August 14, 2001 from Price Township, Pennsylvania
Classification: Endangered Missing
Age: 38 years old
Height and Weight: 5'4, 170 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian male. Red/brown hair, brown eyes. Huegel's hair was long at the time of his August 2001 disappearance and he was balding. Huegel may have a full beard and his hair may be graying. His left ear is pierced. He has a scar on the left side of his head and a scar near his left eye.
Clothing/Jewelry Description: A silver chain bracelet on his left wrist and a silver earring in his left ear.


Details of Disappearance

Huegel visited his parents in Price Township, Pennsylvania on August 12, 2001. He arranged to meet them again on August 15. Huegel reportedly had an argument with another individual on August 13. He allegedly accused the person of stealing his tools.
Huegel spent part of the day on August 14, 2001 in Flanders, New Jersey. He was last seen at approximately 3:30 p.m. at the intersection of Pennsylvania State Route 447 (SR-447) and Mill Creek Bridge Road near Price Township. Huegel's neighbor was in the vicinity and told authorities that Huegel said he was assisting someone with automobile problems. His neighbor said that Huegel entered an unidentified dark-colored truck and began traveling along State Route 447. Huegel has never been seen again.

Someone claiming to be Huegel called the Trinity Gulf gasoline station near Price Township on August 15. The individual said that he was locked out of his vehicle and could not locate his keys. He asked the employee to open the car and install a new cylinder key. The call was made from a pay phone in a shopping center in the Eagle Valley area near Brodheadsville, Pennsylvania. Investigators do not believe caller was actually Huegel. His loved ones said that he never locked his vehicle and normally wore his keys on a belt loop. Huegel never arrived at his parents' home that day as expected.

Huegel's employer contacted his family members on August 20 and said that he had not reported for work. His car was found at Mill Creek on August 22, with a note on top and the car keys in the water. The person who found it took the keys and kept them, and came back the next day to find Huegel's car gone. The Mill Creek area is popular with swimmers and is also the place of the last confirmed sighting of Huegel.

In September 2006, Thomas Ward Cook Jr. was charged with Huegel's murder. Cook was his landlord at the time Huegel disappeared. Authorities stated they have a recorded telephone conversation wherein Cook admitted to his role in Huegel's homicide. He stated he had shot Huegel to death, broken up the body's bones with a hatchet and buried them in the woods near a hunting club he owned shares in. Cook also admitted to posing as Huegel and calling the gasoline station about Huegel's car. He said he had killed Huegel because Huegel had broken into Cook's father's apartment and stolen money while Cook's father was hospitalized. Cook is awaiting trial. Huegel's body has not been recovered.

Huegel's relatives said that it is uncharacteristic of him to leave without warning. He resided in the Wayside Apartments complex on SR-447 in Price Township in 2001. He did not have any of his personal belongings with him at the time of his disappearance. Huegel enjoys fishing, NASCAR racing, motorcycles, skiing and walking in wooded areas. Foul play is suspected in his due to the circumstances involved.



Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Pennsylvania State Police
Swiftwater Station
570-839-7701

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Cook pleads guilty to murder, takes police to victim's buried remains.
After more than six years, what is considered Monroe County’s first murder case without a body is now closed.

Thomas Cook Jr., 45, former owner of Wayside Apartments in Price Township, pleaded guilty this week to murdering tenant Randy Huegel, 43, of Easton, in August 2001, when Huegel’s family reported him missing.

Investigators caught a break in May 2006 when a witness came forward and said Cook had told him about killing Huegel and burying his remains. The witness said Cook claimed Huegel broke into his father’s apartment while his father was in the hospital and stole money.

Police then recorded a conversation between the witness and Cook, who made incriminating statements. Cook later was arrested, but authorities could not find where he buried the sentenced at a future date.

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Murder victim's family still seeks solace
In exchange for a lesser sentence, Cook took investigators to the Eagle Claw Rod and Gun Club property bordering Price and Smithfield townships, where he buried Huegel.

Members of Huegel's family never believed Cook would disclose the location and said they were still haunted by the time they first saw him in court.

"I can't even explain the feeling," Groman said. "When I looked into that man's face at the preliminary hearing, it was evil. Pure evil."

In a wire-recorded conversation with the witness, Cook said he took a photo of Huegel's body, dismembered it, then repeatedly buried the body, dug it up and buried it again.

"What he did to my boy was horrible," Phyllis Huegel said, barely containing tears. "He's a disciple of the devil; that's what he is. What he did only the disciple of the devil could do."

Edwin Huegel, Randy's father, said he knew Cook killed his son from the moment he first met him in 2001.

When Edwin Huegel asked Cook how much money Randy owed him, Cook replied, "Randy and I are even."

"Right then, I knew," said Edwin, 73. "He basically told me he got even with Randy. He said 'even.' That's what he emphasized."

The memorial service will be May 24 at Penn Pump Park in Palmer Township, where Randy used to take his two daughters, Brittany and Deja, and son, Sean, on picnics.

Edwin said he hopes the service will be the start of a healing process for his family.

"If there is such a thing as closure, this will be the start of it," he said.

Dear Lord, I pray for your healing on this family, may they feel your grace and love in Jesus name AMEN

OH SIS, I AM SO SORRY, I WILL KEEP YOUR AUNT AND UNCLE IN MY PRAYERS DAILY, WHAT A TRAGEDY ! I AM SO SORRY FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY TO HAVE TO GO THRU THIS. GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF THEM YOU KNOW THAT SIS.

I will certainly pray for your family to heal from this awful act.

I will be praying for all members of the family, especially his mom. It is so sad to know that she clung to that hope of hearing from him, only to have it dashed.

I hope that murderer gets what he deserves.

Dear Lord, I lift up this family to you, may your biggest blessings be upon them may you fill them with love, joy, hope, and serenity, in Jesus name AMEN

Father I lift the entire Randy Huegel family to YOU this day for comfort, strength, and healing. Father an awful occurrence has happened in this family. Just wrap them in YOUR Loving Arms and hold them tight to help them through this. Help each an every family member be able to deal with the sad truth of what has transpired and give them grace dear Father, if it be Thy Will. Thank YOU ever so much for hearing and responding to this request quickly. Forgive me my sins. In the Holy and Mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Maddie I am so sorry that this happened to your family. This is truly an abhorrent act and God will repay! God Bless you dear! Hugs, Tek

Lord i agree with all prayers... in Christ,amen.

Maddie this has stayed with me all day and I continue to pray for all of you. I know that this can't be easy for any of you to deal with! God is ever present and even though this was such a horrible tragedy HE loves all of you very much. HE is right there with y'all sharing y'alls pain and grief. Once again I am soooooooooooooooo srry this type of horror has come to pass in your family! I pray that the murderer gets his just rewards for such a heinous crime! God Bless you! Hugs, Tekkie

Maddie, I am so sorry this has happened to someone in your family...I will be praying for your Aunt and Uncle, and also you and others affected by this. May the Lord comfort you all.

Love & hugs, Deb