A British Paralympian has been reported missing in Las Vegas after not being seen for more than a week.
Sam Ruddock, from Warwickshire, who has cerebral palsy and has competed in cycling and shot put, travelled to the US on 13 April while planning to attend WrestleMania, his friend Lucy Earl said.
Earl, who has been friends with Ruddock for more than 10 years, said the 35-year-old stayed with her the night before his flight, and she last heard from him on 16 April.
She said she contacted police and tracked down the hostel Ruddock was staying in, and was told he did not check out when he should have or collect his belongings.
The Paralympian has since been reported missing to police in the UK and US. Earl described him as a “big character with lots of energy”.
She said: “Sam is very, very present on social media, he’s such a passionate person about sports.
“He flew on the 13th, I’ve got confirmation that he landed, I absolutely know Sam 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.”
Earl said Ruddock was an “infectious” person and a “phenomenal” human being. She said she has started a social media campaign to try to get information.
A spokesperson for British Cycling 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.”
Lincolnshire police confirmed it has an active missing person investigation for Ruddock.
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.”