What was meant to be a joyous family milestone has turned into a haunting mystery after Reuben Waithaka, a 72-year-old grandfather from Kenya, traveled over 8,200 miles to the United States in May to attend his first grandson’s high school graduation in Alabama.
He came bearing sentimental gifts: a collection of faded childhood photos of his son and three matching African print shirts for himself, his son, and his grandson.
But that joyous reunion never happened.
Just one day after arriving in Calera, Alabama, and settling into his son’s home, Reuben disappeared without a trace.
Reports indicate that he walked out of his son’s house early in the morning in mid-May.
The last known sighting of Reuben was captured by a CCTV camera at a gas station located roughly two miles from his son’s residence.
The surveillance footage, which authorities have reviewed, shows him calmly walking in the vicinity of the station, but provides no clear answers about where he was going or why.
Since then, family members have been frantically searching, canvassing neighborhoods, distributing flyers, and appealing for help from both the local community and international networks.
Despite notifying the Calera Police Department and launching a public search effort, no substantial leads have emerged.
Watch CCTV footage of his last moments.
