Friend's heartfelt appeal to British Paralympian missing in Las Vegas
Chris Graves joined an appeal for anyone with information about the runner, cyclist and shot putter, who has cerebral palsy, to get in touch, saying any tip could make a 'massive' difference.
The operations manager of school sports charity +Inspire has been a close friend and colleague of Sam's for more than 12 years.
The 35-year-old athlete from Rugby, Warwickshire, travelled to the US on April 13 planning to attend the WWE WrestleMania event, which took place over two nights at the Allegiant Stadium in Vegas the following weekend, and was last heard of three days after arriving.
Chris said: 'Sam has been struggling with his mental health so it's just very concerning that he's out there on his own.
'We just want to know that he's safe, that's the bottom line really.
'There's been no direct contact with him or any social media activity since April 16. There's just so many options of what the situation could be that we just want to know he's safe.'
The ParalympicsGB athlete's last known movement was riding in an Austin-Healey sports car with an American man named Steve he seemed to have just met, with a point-of-view video of the journey posted on his Instagram channel on the day he went missing.
Staff at a hostel where he was staying said he had not checked out and has left his belongings in his room.
In the video, Steve asks Sam how long he's been in the US, to which he replies 'three days' and indicates he might stay longer, before going on to say he has never been to Vegas before.
The charity ambassador appears to have hitchhiked with the driver, who drove him along the strip before dropping him off at the famous Silver and Gold pawn shop in Vegas, home of the TV show 'Pawn Stars.'
The athlete had originally wanted to go to 'Fremont' — presumably the city's famous Fremont Street — until the driver recommended the pawnbroker's shop, saying he had a friend there.
As the pair get out of the car outside the store, Sam, who appears excitable and upbeat, ends the video so he can speak to Steve.
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Chris told Metro: 'That's the last post and it's been reported and shared with the relevant authorities in Las Vegas, so we're hoping that the driver of that car can be found just to see what he may or may not know.
'He's the last person that we're all aware of who has physically seen Sam.
'The pawn broker's shop in Las Vegas has been contacted to see if they know anything but at present we have no clues and no indication as to where Sam might be.
'Anybody with any sighting, any help or any intel would just be massive.'
Sam, who is father to a two-year-old son and has a baby on the way, made his international debut at London 2012, running in the 100m and 200m T35 heats, a disability sport classification.
He then switched to shot put ahead of Rio 2016, where he finished sixth in the F35 category. The Paralympian then focused on cycling and became World Champion at the C1 1km Time Trial in 2022, for athletes with physical impairments, and defended his title a year later.
Away from the competitive arena, Sam has been a big hit in schools where he has encouraged young people to take up sport.
He has also written first-person pieces for Metro, including how he has 'realised the responsibility I now have to all my fellow brothers and sisters with cerebral palsy, to represent them and be an ambassador.'
'Sam's a lovely guy, he's a very bubbly, outgoing character and always has time to speak to everybody and anybody,' Chris said.
'He is always interested in what you have to say about whatever it might be, he's someone who has very strong beliefs but would always welcome and recognise other people's beliefs as well.
'He wants to be everyone's friend and will help anyone when he can.'
Appealing to Sam directly, Chris said: 'We just want Sam to know he is so loved by so many family and friends, and in a professional sense the teachers and children all adore him. He has been an inspiration over the years to thousands of young people and adults.
'We want nothing more than to know he is safe, that is it.'
In a statement, +Inspire said: 'We are deeply concerned and saddened to hear that longtime Inspire+ Ambassador and friend of the charity Sam Ruddock has been reported missing.
'Sam was last heard from on April 16 and was on holiday visiting a WrestleMania event in Las Vegas.
'As a valued member of Inspire+, we know this news is being felt by many, we are doing everything we can to support friends, family and staff and school communities who have been affected by this news.'
Chris also posted on Facebook: 'Sam has been a very close friend & colleague of mine for over 12 years.
'If you're able to share these posters or send to anyone in the US please do
'Sam is currently unwell with his mental health, his family & family just want to know he's safe.'
A Lincolnshire Police spokesperson confirmed there is an active missing persons investigation. More Trending
A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said: 'We are supporting the family of a British man reported missing in Las Vegas and are in contact with the local authorities.'
Anyone who has information about Sam's whereabouts is asked to contact the Las Vegas Police Department or Lincolnshire Police via 101 quoting incident number 0169-25.04.25.
*For help and information around missing people and the related issues please visit the Missing People charity's website
Do you have a story you would like to share? Contact josh.layton@metro.co.uk
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