The Houston community was shocked when authorities recently announced Rudy Farias had been found years after he disappeared — but that’s only because they didn’t even realize he was considered missing.
According to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, Farias was last seen on March 6, 2015. His mother, Janie Santana, reported her son, just 18 years old at the time, missing after she said he never returned from a walk with his dogs.
On Thursday, just more than eight years later, Santana revealed Farias was found unresponsive and bruised outside a church. The Texas Center for the Missing confirmed the news, but the nonprofit organization did not provide further details.
Farias’ return after nearly a decade seemed like a miracle to some, but not to his mother’s neighbors. Kisha Ross — who lives on the same street as Santana — said Farias often spent time with her children over the years.
“He used to come in my garage, chill with my cousin, son, and daughter,” Ross told KTRK. “That boy has never been missing.”
Ross’ Cousin, Broderick Conley, added that he and Farias had “good times” and that they were always “laughing” when they enjoyed each other’s company.
“I was just shocked someone over here was missing, and we see him,” said another neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous. He too said Farias has been living in his mother’s home for years.
At the time of Farias’ disappearance, Santana told authorities that her son had suffered from depression and PTSD ever since his brother died in a motorcycle accident in 2011. She added that he might have been disoriented at the time because he wasn’t taking his medication.
The Houston Police Department also confirmed Farias had been located. He refused to be transported by ambulance, which his mother signed off on, and he was left in his family’s care, officials said.
“HPD missing persons investigators plan to speak with Rudy and his family on Wednesday to determine his whereabouts since he was reported missing in 2015,” police said in a tweet.