Athlete vanished after last contact on April 16
British Paralympian Sam Ruddock, a 35-year-old athlete from Warwickshire who has competed internationally in cycling and shot put events, has been reported missing in Las Vegas. Friends and authorities have confirmed that he has not been heard from for more than a week, prompting growing concern for his safety.
Trip to the US and sudden disappearance
Ruddock traveled to the United States on April 13, reportedly to attend WrestleMania. His close friend, Lucy Earl, who has known him for over a decade, said he stayed with her the night before his flight. According to Mrs. Earl, Ruddock was last in contact on April 16. Since then, neither friends nor family have been able to reach him.
Alarmed by his sudden silence, Mrs. Earl traced him to a hostel in Las Vegas, where she discovered that Ruddock had neither checked out as scheduled nor collected his belongings. She described Ruddock as a “big character with lots of energy,” emphasizing his normally vibrant social media presence and deep passion for sports.
She said: “Sam is very very present on social media; he’s such a passionate person about sports.” She added, “He’s such an infectious person. He’s a phenomenal human being.”
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Authorities launch investigation
Mrs. Earl reported Ruddock’s disappearance to both UK and US police, and a social media campaign has been launched in an effort to gather information about his whereabouts. British Cycling, the governing body for the sport in the UK, acknowledged the situation in a statement.
“British Cycling understands that para-cyclist Sam Ruddock was reported missing to UK and US police and Interpol after not being heard from since Wednesday, April 16, 2025, while visiting Las Vegas, USA,” a spokesperson said.
The organization has urged anyone with information or who had recent contact with Ruddock to immediately reach out to their local law enforcement. Lincolnshire Police have also confirmed that an investigation into a missing person is underway.
Support from the government
A spokesperson for the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office stated, “We are supporting the family of a British man reported missing in Las Vegas and are in contact with the local authorities.”
As the search intensifies, friends, family, and the broader sporting community continue to hope for Ruddock’s safe return.