Nationwide — Reuben Waithaka, a 73-year-old man from Kenya, disappeared simply sooner or later after arriving in Calera, Alabama to attend his grandson’s highschool commencement. Weeks later, his household remains to be looking for solutions.
Waithaka and his spouse, Elizabeth Barua, landed within the U.S. on Could 14. He had introduced previous household images and matching African shirts for himself, his son, and grandson. However the subsequent morning, he walked out of his son’s house in Calera and by no means got here again.
“He simply received right here. After which he was gone,” his 17-year-old grandson, Byron Barua, advised CNN.
A doorbell digicam confirmed him stepping outdoors at 11:08 a.m., wearing khakis and a checkered shirt. About half-hour later, safety footage at a fuel station practically two miles away captured him getting into the restroom and leaving by means of the again door.
Investigators later discovered that Waithaka received two rides that morning. A neighbor dropped him off a couple of homes away, pondering it was his vacation spot. Then a supply driver gave him a journey “to city,” which ended on the fuel station. That was the final confirmed sighting.
A witness later advised police she noticed somebody who regarded like Waithaka crawling underneath a gate close to a wooded space behind the station. Regardless of large-scale searches utilizing helicopters, drones, canine, and warmth sensors, no hint was discovered.
Members of the family now suspect he might have had undiagnosed dementia. Through the flight to Atlanta, he grew agitated and wanted assist staying seated. After touchdown, he fell on the airport and injured his knee. He was checked on the ER, however checks got here again regular.
Waithaka didn’t carry U.S. {dollars} or his passport. His Kenyan telephone final pinged in Frankfurt. Police reached out to the FBI and have checked native shelters, hospitals, and truck stops, however leads have dried up.
His grandson, Byron, graduated 5 days later with out him. On June 3, Waithaka’s birthday handed quietly. The household had deliberate to roast a goat and have a good time, however the celebration was by no means held.
His son, Willington Barua, retains posting flyers throughout cities throughout trucking routes. His spouse has returned to Kenya. The household clings to hope. Each telephone name brings each concern and chance. They only wish to know what occurred.
“I wish to be hopeful, I actually do,” mentioned his daughter, Emily Barua. “However typically I’m wondering — did he sit someplace and go to sleep within the warmth and by no means (wake) up?”
