It was supposed to be a normal travel day. Flights, luggage and maybe a quick snack before boarding. Instead, it turned into a stressful nightmare for Victor Wembanyama.
The NBA player is asking for help after his friend, Elijah Hoard, 23, disappeared at Chicago Airport over the weekend.
Yes, an airport. The place with cameras everywhere, security everywhere, people everywhere, and somehow, still no clear answers.
“Our friend Elijah has been missing from Chicago O’Hare since February 27. If you have any information please reach out to local authorities,” Wembanayama wrote Monday on an Instagram Story, where he tagged notable Bulls stars such as Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah, as well as the Blackhawks’ Connor Bedard.
Hoard was last seen on Friday at O’Hare Airport, according to a missing person bulletin shared Sunday by Chicago police, which added he was dressed in a “brown hooded sweatshirt, black sweatpants, and cream colored shoes.” Authorities stated Hoard “may be in need of medical attention.”
Hoard’s father, Antwon, spoke about his son’s 10-day trip with a local outlet and how things shifted as the stay came to a close.
“Everything seemed pretty normal the first eight days, but the last two days his whole mood had swung, and he was really adamant about not going back home, and he didn’t want to go home,” Antwon said.
Hoard never checked in for his flight, according to his father, who theorized, “He could possibly be floating around the airport or something.”
Authorities are looking into the situation. Family and friends are hoping for quick answers and fans are hoping for good news.
For now, one thing is clear: fame does not protect you from fear, and even superstars feel helpless when someone they care about disappears.
Everyone is waiting, hoping and praying that this story ends with relief instead of heartbreak.
*UPDATE*
A 23-year-old man reported missing after he was last seen at O’Hare International Airport has been found safe, Chicago police said.
Elijah Joseph Hoard was located Tuesday and reunited with his family, police said.
