UPDATE
Colby Richards has been found safe one week after vanishing from his Texas home, according to Fox News Digital, citing the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO). Police said Colby was found “safe walking in the area of Research Forest and Kuykendahl, The Woodlands.”
“Hallelujah and praise the Lord!!! Colby has been found alive! We don’t have details yet, but we are overjoyed at the positive outcome. We will share what we can when we can,” Coby’s family posted on Facebook.
The sheriff’s office added that it will “be some time” before Colby is interviewed, as he currently recovering in an area hospital.
Check back for additional details.
Original Story
Coworkers informed the family of a Texas father, who disappeared during an early morning walk on May 26, that he seemed fatigued at work in the days leading up to his disappearance.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Colby Richards, 31, was last seen Friday at his residence off Musgrave Place in Spring. According to his wife, Callie, he routinely wakes up early for work, but on that morning, she didn’t hear him getting ready for work at his usual time of around 5 a.m. to 6 a.m.
Callie said she then noticed the back gate open, which she said never happens. While he occasionally enjoys hiking and meditating, Callie said that it’s not part of his usual morning routine, and he would never leave the gate open, which immediately alarmed her.
According to Colby’s cousin, Allison Fox, coworkers at an engineering firm reported Colby had been zoning out at his computer the last time they saw him at work. Fox shared this information with the authorities, who have since spoken with the coworkers.
“I talked to a couple of his friends, and I talked to his supervisor, and they basically said he seemed tired. Granted, he’s got small kids at home. Sleep is usually pretty precious when you have little ones at home,” his cousin, Allison told Fox News Digital. “That’s probably all it was.”
“My request to provide information previously still stands. Keep your eyes out looking for him, and if you see anything weird … contact the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.”
Detectives from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office discovered one of Colby’s Yeti tumblers along a trail near his residence on Friday, but so far haven’t had luck finding him.
On Wednesday, Lt. Scott Spencer with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said that they lacked any “viable” information suggesting Colby went to the woods near his home, which is seated south of FM 1488 and west of Texas 242, in the Alden Bridge neighborhood.
“The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office has used extensive resources to search for Mr. Richards, including partnerships with multiple agencies comprising of the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Rangers, and Montgomery County Search and Rescue,” Spencer said, according to The Courier.
“We have repeatedly deployed resources that range from ground foot searches, drones, ATVs, horses, helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft and canine units, to countless other technological assets…While extensive search efforts have not been successful, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate his disappearance.”
Meanwhile, the family reached out to Texas EquuSearch for assistance and is currently awaiting approval from the sheriff’s office.
Colby is described as a white male who stands 6 feet, 3 inches tall and weighs around 195 pounds. He has blonde hair, blue eyes, and was last seen wearing black shorts, grey Under Armour shoes, and a white t-shirt.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office at 936-760-5800 (option 3) and refer to case #23A151879.
This story is developing. Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: Colby and Callie/Handout]
