PHILADELPHIA — San Antonio Spurs rookie star Victor Wembanyama expressed relief Tuesday night after learning that longtime friend Elijah Hoard, 23, had been located unharmed in Illinois.
Hoard disappeared Friday when his father dropped him at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport for a flight to France following a 10-day visit. Airport officials said he never checked in or boarded the plane.
“He just got found, like one hour ago,” Wembanyama told reporters after the Spurs’ 131-91 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. “We’ve been close for a long time. I’m very, very relieved.”
The 7-foot-4 center had appealed for assistance Monday via Instagram, sharing details of Hoard’s disappearance. On Tuesday night he reposted an update from Hoard’s family confirming the young man had been located.
Authorities said surveillance footage showed Hoard in Rosemont, Illinois, a suburb near O’Hare, where officials ultimately made contact and verified his safety.
No additional details about Hoard’s condition or the circumstances surrounding his disappearance were released.
Source: ESPN
