On the morning of October 6, 2018, 72-year-old Russell Ralph Hanks left his home on South Pomegranate Way in the Bloomington area of St. George, Utah. Surveillance footage from neighboring homes captured him leaving at 5:36 a.m., carrying a small backpack. Another camera recorded him walking towards the desert area southwest of the city, a location he was known to frequent for hikes.
Reports from law enforcement at the time indicated that he had been upset about something at home and told his wife he was going for a walk, which was not an unusual activity for him.
Concern grew when Hanks did not return home. The St. George Police Department was notified and began efforts to locate him. He was described as a white male, with gray hair and brown eyes, standing at approximately 5'9" and weighing around 125 pounds. Some early reports mentioned that he was not considered to be in danger and did not have any known mental illnesses. However, other sources later indicated he had Alzheimer's disease, which raised the level of concern for his well-being. Search efforts were concentrated in the desert areas of South Bloomington, including near Christensen Park, the area around Sunriver, and the Virgin River.
Despite the searches and public appeals for information, there have been no confirmed sightings or any trace of Russell Hanks since the morning he disappeared. The days turned into weeks, and the weeks into years, with no new leads to indicate his whereabouts or what may have happened to him. His case remains an unsolved and open investigation with the St. George Police Department. The circumstances of his disappearance, starting as a routine walk and ending in a complete vanishing, have left his family and community with unanswered questions and a profound sense of loss. The overview of this case is one of a beloved family man who seemingly stepped out for a walk in a familiar landscape and was never seen again, leaving a lasting mystery in the St. George community.Last Seen: Oct 6, 2018
