In the early morning hours of June 25, 2021, 32-year-old Vern Richard Morris, known to his loved ones as Rick, disappeared from his family's home in Tooele, Utah. The night before he went missing, his mother noticed he was acting strangely and checked his blood sugar, discovering it was at a critically low level of 37 mg/dL, well below the minimum safe level of 70. Family members were able to get him to eat a sandwich, and his blood sugar levels began to return to normal.
Although he was still slurring his speech, a common symptom of low blood sugar, he assured his mother he was fine, told her he loved her, and said good night. The last time anyone in the family saw him was around 1:55 a.m. When his mother went to check on him again at 2:30 a.m., she found his room empty.
Rick, who has type 1 diabetes, vanished without taking any of his personal belongings. His insulin, phone, wallet, and laptop computer were all left behind at his residence. It's believed he was wearing blue jeans that were baggy and bunched at the waist, black or black and gray socks, and black tennis shoes. It is uncertain if he was even wearing a shirt when he left. It was not uncommon for Rick to go for walks in the early morning hours, but leaving without his essential medical supplies and personal items was highly unusual and immediately raised concerns for his safety. His family believes that the severe hypoglycemic episode may have left him in a confused and disoriented state, causing him to wander off.
The Tooele City Police Department was notified, and an investigation into his disappearance was launched. There has been no evidence of foul play in connection with his case. Over time, there have been unconfirmed reports of sightings in various locations, including Grantsville, Utah; Carlin, Nevada; and among the homeless population near the Utah State Fairpark in Salt Lake City. Despite these leads, there has been no concrete information on his whereabouts. His family has been proactive in the search, organizing community efforts and offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to his discovery. The case of Vern Richard Morris is a deeply concerning one, marked by the vulnerability of an individual experiencing a medical emergency. The sudden and unexplained nature of his disappearance from the perceived safety of his home has left his family and community with many unanswered questions. The lack of any significant leads has made the search for answers a long and difficult journey for his loved ones, who continue to hold out hope for his return. His case is classified as an endangered missing person.Last Seen: Jun 25, 2021
