The Las Vegas community and international athletic circles are currently rocked by the search for Sam Ruddock, a British Paralympian reported missing. Ruddock, a 35-year-old shot put, cycling, and sprinting competitor, was last seen in Las Vegas, where he traveled to attend WrestleMania. Authorities and those close to him are troubled by his unexplained disappearance, as the athlete was known for his frequent social media activity and regular communication with friends and family.
According to a report by 8 News Now, Ruddock's latest Instagram post on April 16 showed him cruising down Las Vegas Boulevard in an Austin-Healey. In this live video, he indicated that he was staying at a hostel. The discovery of his belongings, left unclaimed at his temporary accommodation.
Lucy Hatton, a close friend of Ruddock, described him as a "fantastic human being" who enjoyed encouraging youth with his visits to schools. In a statement obtained by BBC News, she expressed that his recent lack of communication was "really, really out of character." Hatton noted that Ruddock seemed to be "not in quite the right head space" leading up to his disappearance. Fran Ruddock, Sam's mother, echoed these sentiments asserting that her son's behavior was highly unusual, as he was characteristically "very sociable."
Both British and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police have been alerted, and they are currently collaborating with Interpol in the search. Ms. Hatton, after taking her friend to the airport on April 13, knew that something was amiss when the typically consistent communication ceased abruptly. Ruddock's mother, seeking any information that could help locate her son, urges individuals both in the UK and the United States to come forward if they have any knowledge of his whereabouts. A spokesperson for the Foreign Office confirmed that they are actively involved, providing support to the family and working closely with local Las Vegas authorities.
British Cycling has acknowledged Ruddock's disappearance and is also appealing to the public for assistance. They underscored the gravity of the situation, urging anyone with recent contact or information about Ruddock's location to reach out to the police immediately.
