Victor Wembanyama expresses gratitude following the safe return of a missing friend.
PHILADELPHIA — San Antonio Spurs player Victor Wembanyama expressed his appreciation to the community for their assistance in locating a longtime friend who had gone missing after being dropped off by his father at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.
Reports indicate that Elijah Hoard, 23, was last seen on Friday when his father took him to the airport for a flight back to France following a 10-day visit in Chicago. According to reports, Hoard did not check in for his flight or board the aircraft.
Wembanyama confirmed that Hoard was found safe on Tuesday night.
“He was just found, about an hour ago,” Wembanyama stated after the Spurs’ 131-91 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. “I’m extremely happy. Our families have been close for a long time. We often think such things happen to others. This was the first time I experienced this situation with someone close to me. I’m very, very relieved.”
On Instagram on Monday, Wembanyama had appealed to the public for assistance in the search by sharing information about Hoard’s disappearance.
On Tuesday night, Wembanyama shared an update from Hoard’s family regarding the missing individual, noting that authorities had identified him on surveillance footage in the nearby suburb of Rosemont, Illinois.
