Tai Yung Lau, a 53-year-old Chinese immigrant, has been missing since June 20, 1981, from Tampa, Florida. On the morning of his disappearance, Lau started his walk to the Chinese restaurant on Buffalo Avenue where he was employed as a cook, but he never arrived. His boss reported him missing, describing Lau as a very dependable employee who was never late and had never missed a day of work. All of his personal belongings were found undisturbed in his apartment.
Lau's journey to the United States was one of hardship and resilience. In 1967, he escaped from a forced labor camp in China, a consequence of the Cultural Revolution. He then swam for eight hours to reach Hong Kong, where he managed to secure a job on a ship. Two years later, in 1969, the ship docked in New York, and Lau jumped ship, seeking asylum in the United States. He initially found work in a Chinese restaurant in New York before obtaining a work card and relocating to Tampa. His primary motivation for his hard work was to save enough money to bring his wife and daughter from China to join him in the United States.
The circumstances surrounding Tai Yung Lau's disappearance are clouded by conflicting information. Some accounts suggest that Lau did not own a car and was unable to drive. However, other reports claim that on the day he vanished, he sold his car and mentioned something about returning to China. The idea of him voluntarily returning to China is considered unlikely by some, given the political climate at the time and the circumstances of his departure. Lau has not been seen or heard from since 1981, and the details of what happened to him remain unclear.Last Seen: Jun 20, 1981
