Authorities are searching this week for a murder suspect who may be located in Tucker, Randolph or Grant counties.
Nathan "Nate" Summerfield Jr., 27, of Ashland, Ohio, is wanted for murdering his on-and-off-again girlfriend, 33-year-old Lynn Jackenheimer, in North Carolina, according to The Associated Press.
Deputy U.S. Marshal Chad Simpson said 12 deputies have been working in Tucker, Grant and Randolph counties this week after receiving a tip Monday that Summerfield had been spotted in Tucker County.
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Summerfield
The tip was called into "America's Most Wanted" Aug. 2 by a couple who had spent the day hiking in the Monongahela National Forest in Tucker County. The couple spotted Summerfield by an overlook in the forest, but did not realize the man they had seen was wanted for murder until they turned on their television that evening and recognized his face on "America's Most Wanted."
Simpson said unfortunately there was a gap of four days between when "America's Most Wanted" received the call and when that tip was passed to the U.S. Marshals Service.
During the officers' travels throughout the region Tuesday, they received a tip claiming that Summerfield was spotted Friday eating at Front Porch Restaurant in Seneca Rocks. A waitress working there that day confirmed she had served the man a hamburger Friday and that he was driving a dark metallic grey Honda Civic with an Ohio license plate.
Deputies have been stopping in local gas stations and restaurants to distribute information and fliers. Although the deputies have followed up on all leads received, Simpson said Wednesday they did not yet know his current location.
"We believe he may be in the area," Simpson said. "Because this is a rural area (with many places to hide) there is a chance that he is still here."
The AP reported Summerfield's girlfriend went missing July 4, while vacationing in the Nags Head area with Summerfield and her two children. Her body was later found in a vacant lot in Frisco, N.C. Stab wounds and strangulation were identified as the causes of death by authorities, according to the AP report.
After Jackenheimer initially went missing, Summerfield reportedly returned to his home in Ashland with Jackenheimer's children and left them with his family. While in Ashland, Summerfield allegedly told his brother, Jacob Summerfield, that he had strangled Jackenheimer before leaving town.
His brother then contacted authorities, saying, "I wanted to report a possible murder. My brother was in North Carolina with his ex-girlfriend and he came back and said he strangled her," according to the AP.
Summerfield is described as 5 feet, 11 inches tall, weighing 185 pounds, with brown hair and green eyes.
Summerfield was last seen driving a 2009 dark metallic grey Honda Civic. Anyone who sees Summerfield or knows where he is should contact 911 or call the U.S. Marshals Service Tip Line at 866-4-WANTED. Tips can be sent online by visiting www.usmarshals.gov. A reward is available, and tips can be made anonymously.
