Was Rudy Farias really missing? Neighbors of Texas man missing for eight years claim he had been with mom all along
HOUSTON, TEXAS: The apparent return of a man, who had gone missing as a teenager, has left his neighbors confused. Rudolph "Rudy" Farias had reportedly been missing since 2015 when he was 17. He disappeared in March 2015 while walking his dogs. However, on June 29, he was "located safe," making his family happy and relieved.
Farias’ family released a statement after he was found. It read, “We want to thank the media and public for all their support. My son Rudy Farias IV was found on Thursday, June 29, after being missing for eight years. 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.”
The statement added, “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.”
Was Rudy Farias really missing?
Though this is joyful moment for Farias’ family, his neighbors have shared their doubts as they claimed that the man never went missing in the first place. Kisha Ross told ABC13, “He used to come in my garage, chill with my cousin, son, and daughter. That boy has never been missing.”
Ross' cousin, Broderick Conley, also reportedly claimed to have spent time with Farias. He said, “Laughing good times.” Besides, an unnamed neighbor reportedly shared, “I was just shocked someone over here was missing, and we see him. It's shocking to everyone.”
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
‘There's a lot to investigate’
To clear the confusion, ABC13's Brooke Taylor had a chat with Farias’ mother, who said that neighbors had mistaken her nephew for her son. However, people living near her house did not think so. Ross reportedly stated, “I do not know. That's what I have been trying to figure out all day. I am confused right now. I am like, 'What's going on?’”
This comes as earlier Tim Miller, director of Texas EquuSearch, deemed locating Farias “a miracle”. He reportedly said, “How did this happen? We believe in miracles and this certainly was a miracle. I can’t even tell you how many times we searched and how many leads and tips came in and they just kind of faded away and now all of a sudden, this,” adding, “There's a lot to investigate to kind of see what happened, where it happened, how it happened.”