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Elijah Hoard Found Safe After Multi‑Day Search in Chicago

Public tips spurred by Victor Wembanyama's posts helped lead police to the 23-year-old, relatives say.

Overview

  • Chicago police and family said Hoard was located in good health and reunited with loved ones, with no detailed timeline of his movements released.
  • Hoard had been reported missing after being dropped at O’Hare on Feb. 27 for a flight to France but never checked in or boarded.
  • Relatives noted he has a medical or mental‑health condition requiring medication, his phone went dark after the airport drop‑off, and he carried limited money.
  • Authorities reviewed surveillance and followed sightings, including footage from nearby Rosemont, to piece together leads.
  • Wembanyama amplified the search on social media, with support from Nicolas Batum and Guerschon Yabusele, and he tagged Chicago figures Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah and Connor Bedard to broaden awareness.