Pocono News Section

One Year Since Hunter Shot to Death

One Year Since Hunter Shot to Death - Thursday, December 4, 2008 at 4:16PM EST

TUNKHANNOCK TOWNSHIP - It has been one year since someone shot a hunter to death in the woods of the Poconos. Many people who live there have heard the story of Lee Vanluvender but people who hunt or vacation there only once a year may have not. On the anniversary of the death police and Vanluvender's family are asking those people to think back to last year.

Tom Vanluvender hunted with his son for years, but this year he's hunting for his son's killer.
Someone shot Lee Vanluvender to death in Tunkhannock Township a year ago. He was 22. He left behind a son, Sean who is now three.

"Lee was just a great person. He was a great father," said Tom.

He took the day off to search for clues. He canvased restaurants to ask hunters if they remember seeing anything unusual in the woods last year. He also hung flyers at businesses all across the region.

Vanluvender said, "I believe somebody saw something or knows something and
I'm just hoping that they come forward with the information."

Tom's fiance Tami Samone helped him all morning. She said, "It's just hard seeing the pain in him every day and just knowing there's nothing I can do to take it away."

The couplel later visited the spot where Lee was killed. "It's pretty emotional...kinda scary 'cause you know somebody's still out there and you don't know when or if they'll do it again," said Samone.

She added,"We're not going away - now or ever - we're going to keep his memory alive as long as we're capable of doing that."

Anyone with information should call the Pocono Mountain Regional Police at 570-895-2400. You can remain anonymous.