NewsNation

British Paralympian missing in Las Vegas: Reports

Sierra Campbell

DOHA, QATAR - OCTOBER 16: A portrait of Sam Ruddock of Great Britain Paralympic Team ahead of the IPC Athletics World Championship at The Torch Hotel on October 16, 2015 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Warren Little - British Athletics/British Athletics via Getty Images)

(NewsNation) — A British Paralympian has been reported missing in Las Vegas, according to reports.

The Guardian reported that 35-year-old Sam Ruddock, from Warwickshire — a ceremonial county in England — has cerebral palsy and competed in shot put and cycling. He traveled to the United States on April 13 to attend WrestleMania, according to the BBC.


His friend Lucy Hatton has allegedly been friends with Ruddock for over 10 years and said he stayed with her the night before his flight. She hasn’t heard from him since April 16.

Sam Ruddock is ‘big character with lots of energy’: Friend

According to The Guardian, Ruddock has been reported missing to the police in both the U.S. and the United Kingdom. Hatton said he is a “big character with lots of energy,” and “Sam is very, very present on social media; he’s such a passionate person about sports.”

Hatton also said that she knows for a fact that Ruddock was in Vegas: “The concerning part is he went silent from the 16th and, because he is such a big presence on social media, people were quite fast to notice.”

LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 16: Sam Ruddock of Great Britain competes in the Men’s Shot Put F35 Final during Day Three of the IPC World ParaAthletics Championships 2017 London at London Stadium on July 16, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by S Bardens – British Athletics/British Athletics via Getty Images)

Ruddock’s last post on Instagram was April 16.

Hatton has launched a social media campaign to gather more information about his disappearance. She also told the BBC that his disappearance was “really, really out of character.” She said that he had not “been in quite the right headspace” as of late.

Ruddock’s mother, Fran Ruddock, told the BBC that she would normally speak to her son every single day. She asked that if there is anyone who might know him in the U.K. or the U.S. to get in contact with information.

She said, “Anything at all to piece together the gaps.”

Ruddock’s mother called the police and spoke with the hostel he was staying in, the BBC reported, and was told he never checked out or took his belongings.

British Cycling urges anyone with information to contact police

According to People, Ruddock competed in the Paralympic Games in 2012 and 2016. A spokesperson for British Cycling commented on Ruddock’s disappearance. The statement said:

“British Cycling understands that para-cyclist Sam Ruddock was reported missing to UK and US police and Interpol after not being heard from since Wednesday, 16 April 2025, while visiting Las Vegas, USA. We urge anyone who has been in contact with Sam since 16 April or may have any information of his whereabouts to contact their local police department as soon as possible.”

Police in Lincolnshire — another ceremonial county in England — have confirmed that it is working on an active missing person investigation for Ruddock.

A spokesperson with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said, “We are supporting the family of a British man reported missing in Las Vegas and are in contact with the local authorities.”