Sam Ruddock, a Paralympian who represented Great Britain in cycling, shot put, and sprinting at the 2012 and 2016 Games, has been reported missing after abruptly cutting off all communication with family and friends.
The 33-year-old, who lives with cerebral palsy, traveled from Warwickshire, England, to Las Vegas on April 13 to attend a WrestleMania event. According to his close friend Lucy Hatton, Ruddock was last in contact on April 16, after which all messages and social media activity stopped—something she described as highly unusual for him.
“Sam is normally very communicative and active online,” Hatton told the BBC on April 27. “His sudden silence started to raise red flags. It’s really, really out of character.” She added that Ruddock had been staying with her shortly before his trip and noted he hadn’t seemed to be in the best mental space at the time.
Speaking to Sky News the same day, Hatton confirmed that Ruddock had safely landed in Nevada, but there has been no word from him since. Concern continues to grow as friends and family await any updates on his whereabouts.
