Search for Trans Student Murry Foust Enters Week Two: “How Far Do We Expand the Circle?”
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Investigators looking for missing transgender student Murry Foust are considering whether they need to widen the search radius as the case enters its second week.
“We’re still hitting it hard and the next step is: How far do we need to take this and how far do we expand the circle?” David Rader, director of the search-and-rescue organization EquuSearch Midwest told Cincinnati-based NBC affiliate WLWT on Monday.
Foust, a 22-year-old trans man who was set to graduate from Northern Kentucky University this past weekend, was last seen on April 27 walking in Covington’s Latonia neighborhood wearing a yellow backpack. Foust’s phone was left at home and his car was parked a block away from his Latonia apartment. On May 3, as news of the missing persons case began to spread, a friend noted on Facebook that Foust is a “trans man early into his transition and their pronouns are he/they” and encouraged the media to “respect” his identity.
Authorities are sounding the alarm as the search for the missing 22-year-old continues.
In the intervening time, authorities have asked residents for surveillance camera footage from the Latonia neighborhood. Attempts to locate Faust, led by police and EquuSearch Midwest, have so far deployed water rescue teams, K-9 units, and drones with thermal imaging technology in addition to conventional ground searches.
Per WLWT, the search has included the area where Foust was last seen, portions of Ohio that border northern Kentucky, and boat teams on the Ohio River between Covington and Cincinnati. As of May 11, the search had encompassed four square miles of forest. Police have said they do not suspect foul play.
“Just because you don’t find somebody doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing,” Rader told WLWT. “We’re not giving up.”
NKU held its spring commencement ceremonies this past weekend. Foust is a fine arts major in the school’s College of Arts and Sciences. According to WLWT, Equusearch is planning another search for this coming weekend.
Police have asked anyone who sees Foust to call 911 immediately. Those with tips have been encouraged to call detectives at 859-292-2234 or reach out to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Crime Stoppers at 513-356-3020. Anyone with surveillance footage in the area can email officer Marcus Jordan at marcus.jordan@covingtonky.gov or call the 859 number.
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