Share this @internewscast.com

GAS station footage has revealed the last moments a doting grandfather was seen before he vanished from his family’s home.

Reuben Waithaka was last seen walking with a limp and his hands behind his back after disappearing from his wife’s sight on May 15.

Photo of Reuben Waithaka.
Reuben Waithaka, 73, has been missing since May 15Credit: Facebook/ Willy Waithaka
Two women being interviewed about the search for Reuben Waithaka.
Elizabeth Barua, Waithaka’s wife, on the left and his daughter, Emily Barua, speaking to CBS affiliate WIAT about their patriarch’s disappearanceCredit: WIAT
Security camera footage of a man walking away from a white tank.
Security footage shows Waithaka at a gas station two miles away from his son’s homeCredit: CCTV

Waithaka and his wife, Elizabeth Barua, journeyed from Kenya to the United States to witness their first grandson’s high school graduation in Calera, Alabama, a town located 30 miles south of Birmingham.

The morning following their arrival at their son’s residence, 72-year-old Waithaka walked outside and appeared disoriented, Elizabeth shared with CBS affiliate WIAT.

The house’s doorbell camera captured him walking out of the home and onto the driveway at 11:08 am.

Elizabeth followed him at first, but turned around to lock the doors of the house.

When she turned back around, Waithaka had vanished.

About half an hour later, CCTV footage at a Chevron gas station two miles away captured the last time Waithaka was seen.

At around 11:43 am, Waithaka wandered into a gas station with his hands behind his back. He was slightly limping.

He waved at the store attendant and headed toward the bathroom before leaving through the back door, CNN reported.

Seven weeks later, Waithaka still hasn’t been found.

His grandson, Byron, graduated from high school without his doting grandfather in attendance.

Waithaka’s daughter-in-law, Mary Ngigi Waithaka, addressed the family’s concerns in a heartbreaking post about the bittersweet celebration.

“Despite the anxiety and uncertainty surrounding my father-in-law’s disappearance this past week, I am certain he would want us to honor this remarkable accomplishment,” Mary expressed partially on Facebook.

WORRYING SIGNS

The family has considered the possibility that Waithaka had undiagnosed dementia, according to CNN.

His son, Willington Barua, told the outlet that Waithaka seemed confused and was behaving unusually during the long journey to America.

Timeline of disappearance

The search for Reuben Waithaka has lasted seven weeks as his family is desperate for answers. Below is a timeline of his disappearance:

May 13 – Reuben Waithka and his wife, Elizabeth, board a flight from Nairobi, Kenya. They then went through Frankfurt, Germany, to get to Atlanta.

May 14 – Reuben and Elizabeth arrive in Calera, Alabama, after 18 hours of flying from Kenya.

May 15 at 11:08 am – Reuben leaves his son’s home wearing khaki pants and a plaid shirt.

May 15 at 11:43 am – Reuben’s last confirmed sighting on CCTV footage at a gas station two miles away from his son’s home. Police later said he was given a ride to the gas station.

May 21 – Reuben’s grandson graduates from high school without Reuben in attendance.

June 3 – Reuben’s family celebrates his 73rd birthday without him.

June 20 – Elizabeth returns to Kenya.

Source: CNN

During his second flight from Frankfurt to Atlanta, Waithaka became agitated and his wife needed help from a flight attendant to keep him in his seat on the plane, his son told CNN.

He then appeared disoriented in the Atlanta airport and fell on an airport escalator and hurt his knee.

Once they arrived in Calera, the family took Waithaka to the hospital.

A CT scan of his head came back normal, as well as some of his bloodwork, and he was discharged, his son said.

His family said his limp from the fall is noticeable in the gas station security footage.

ON THE MOVE

Waithaka got at least two rides from people before the camera captured him at the gas station, police said.

The first ride was within the neighborhood of Willington’s home, Calera Police Chief David Hyche said. The second was to the gas station.

The family believes he may be trying to return to his village in Kenya, but he doesn’t have his passport or any money.

His phone has not shown activity, meaning it might be dead or in airplane mode, police said.

Waithaka turned 73 on June 3. His family celebrated without him.

On June 20, Elizabeth returned to Kenya to be with loved ones as the search continues.

“We are following up on leads but as we approach the two month mark the leads have slowed down considerably,” Hyche said.

Waithaka’s family has urged anyone who sees him to call the police instead of taking him to another location.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Cargo plane carrying money crashes near capital of Bolivia — at least 15 dead, official says

Tragic Cargo Plane Crash Near Bolivian Capital Results in At Least 15 Fatalities, Official Reports

A cargo plane loaded with money met a tragic end on Friday…
Israel will re-invade Gaza if Hamas doesn't abide by Trump's peace plan

Israel Threatens Gaza Re-Entry Over Hamas Non-Compliance with Trump’s Peace Plan

Israel is prepared to re-enter Gaza to dismantle Hamas if the group…
US and Israel launch joint strike in Iran, US official says

US-Israel Coalition Conducts Strategic Strike in Iran: Official Report Reveals

In a bold move, Israel carried out a daylight assault on the…
Pedestrian Shanna White killed in Winthrop Harbor hit-and-run on Sheridan Road, police say; daughter offers reward in case

Reward Offered After Tragic Hit-and-Run Claims Life of Shanna White in Winthrop Harbor

A tragic hit-and-run incident in Winthrop Harbor resulted in the death of…
Los Angeles social media addiction trial: Plaintiff identified only as KGM describes emotional toll of Instagram, YouTube use

Los Angeles Trial Explores Emotional Impact of Social Media: Plaintiff KGM Shares Experiences with Instagram and YouTube

In a groundbreaking trial taking place in Los Angeles, a 20-year-old woman…
NYPD top cop Jessica Tisch issues fierce defense of cops — after Mayor Mamdani, DA Bragg dismiss snowball attack

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch Stands Firm Against Snowball Attack Dismissal by Mayor Mamdani and DA Bragg

New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch made it clear on Friday…
Driver busted outside Nancy Guthrie's house after driving past up to 100 times with photo of missing mom

Obsessive Driver Arrested: The Shocking Story Behind the 100 Passes with Missing Mom’s Photo Near Nancy Guthrie’s Residence

Late Thursday evening, law enforcement apprehended a man for driving under the…
Bullet in the cap, Fresno police share body cam of moment officer narrowly escapes a gunshot to the head

Heart-Stopping Moment: Fresno Officer Dodges Bullet to the Head – Body Cam Footage Revealed

Intense bodycam footage captures a harrowing moment in Fresno, where a police…
Gavin Newsom touts 'most ambitious water plan' in California

Gavin Newsom Unveils California’s Groundbreaking Water Strategy

Governor Gavin Newsom has announced what he describes as California’s “most ambitious”…
Dad stabs wife, daughter to death with massive curved dagger: cops

Tragic Double Homicide: Father Allegedly Uses Curved Dagger in Fatal Attack on Wife and Daughter

A tragic domestic incident unfolded in Virginia when a father fatally attacked…
Churchill statue in London defaced with anti-Israel messages

Outrage in London: Iconic Churchill Statue Vandalized with Controversial Anti-Israel Graffiti

A man has been taken into custody following the vandalization of a…
Registered sex offender’s city council bid sparks fury as officials explore blocking his path

Controversial City Council Candidate: Can Officials Stop Registered Sex Offender’s Campaign?

A man previously convicted in a child sexual abuse materials case is…