HOUSTON — A 25-year-old Texas man who went missing as a teenager eight years ago is recovering in a hospital after he was found on Saturday.
Rudolph “Rudy” Farias IV, a student at Pasadena High School in suburban Houston, had been missing since March 6, 2015, KHOU-TV reported. The teen was walking his dogs in a north Houston neighborhood when he vanished, according to KTRK-TV.
The dogs were recovered but Farias went missing.
Family says Farias nonverbal, asks for privacy
Update 3:20 p.m. EDT July 3: The family of Farias said in a statement obtained by KHOU-TV that Farias is recovering after being found Thursday, eight years after he vanished in Houston.
Farias’ mother, Janie Santana, thanked the public for its support.
“My son Rudy Farias IV was found on Thursday, June 29th, after being missing for 8 years,” the statement read.
“Currently, we do not have any additional information on Rudy’s case. What we do know is at the time of his recovery, a good Samaritan located him unresponsive and immediately called police and 911. My son Rudy is receiving the care he needs to overcome his trauma, but at this time, he is nonverbal and not able to communicate with us. We are asking for privacy during this difficult time but will share more details as Rudy continues to heal.”
— Theresa Seiger, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Farias in ‘bad shape,’ mother says
Update 10:30 a.m. EDT July 3: Farias’ mother told KPRC-TV and KTRK-TV that good Samaritans found her son unresponsive outside a church and called 911.
She told KPRC that he was in “bad shape” mentally and physically. He had cuts and bruises all over his body and blood in his hair, according to KTRK. His mother told the news station that he was found wearing a necklace from his brother that he has worn since his sibling’s passing in 2011.
He has not said much, according to KTRK. It remained unclear Monday where Farias has been or what led to his disappearance.
— Theresa Seiger, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Original report: The Texas Center for the Missing announced the discovery of Farias on Sunday.
“Please continue to keep his family in your prayers as Rudy recovers in the hospital,” the agency tweeted.
Update: 7/1/23-- After 8 long years, Rudy has been located safe. Please continue to keep his family in your prayers as Rudy recovers in the hospital. https://t.co/AFqj9qvm9G
— TX Center 4 Missing (@TXCenter) July 2, 2023
The circumstances surrounding Farias’ disappearance remains unclear, and authorities on Sunday did not share information about how he was discovered or how long he has been hospitalized.
Tim Miller of the Houston Police Department’s missing persons division and founder of Texas EquuSearch confirmed to KHOU that Farias had been found alive.
After Farias went missing, authorities said the teen had been diagnosed with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety, KTRK reported. Officials believed that the teen had not been taking his medication, according to the television station.
He was suffering from asthma and had an inhaler when he disappeared, according to the Charley Project. The inhaler was later located.
According to family members, Farias had been depressed after his older brother died in a motorcycle accident, NBC News reported in 2015.
“He watched his best friend die right in front of him. His brother was his best friend in the world. He’s just gone through so much more than anyone his age ever should,” Brenda Paradise, a private investigator working for the Farias family, told the news outlet.
At the time of the teen’s disappearance, investigators said they did not suspect foul play, KPRC-TV reported.
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