#Missing Texan who was found after 8 years is in hospital and nonverbal, family says

A good Samaritan found a Texas man who had been missing for eight years just miles from his home, but he was unresponsive and he remains nonverbal, his family said Monday.

Rudy Farias, 25, was discovered Thursday at a church about 8 miles from where he lived in Houston when he disappeared as a teenager, said Tim Miller, an investigator with Texas EquuSearch, a nonprofit search-and-rescue service, who helped search for Farias.

His family confirmed the news of his discovery and added some detail about his condition in a statement released Monday through the Texas Center for the Missing, a nonprofit agency.

“What we do know is at the time of his recovery, a good Samaritan located him unresponsive and immediately called police and 911,” the family said. “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.”

The center said he was at a hospital and provided no additional details.

“We are thankful that Rudy has been found and receiving the care he needs,” Melissa Rangel, a case manager for the center, said by email. “The family is asking for privacy.” 

Farias was 18 when he vanished March 6, 2015, while walking his two dogs, authorities said. One dog returned home without its leash that evening, and the other returned without its leash the next day, they said.

He was experiencing depression, a private investigator hired by the Farias family, Brenda Paradise, said in April 2015.

“He watched his best friend die right in front of him,” she said. “His brother was his best friend in the world. He’s just gone through so much more than anyone his age ever should.”

Houston police said they did not suspect foul play.

Farias’ family said in its statement that it would share “more details as Rudy continues to heal.”

Rangel of the Texas Center for the Missing said such a rare discovery is an event families of the missing ache for, even if the story is not finished.

“When a loved one goes missing this is the day all families hope for and dream of — reunification,” she said.