The family of a Spring, Texas, father is desperate to find him. Colby Richards' wife, Callie Richards, 34, last saw her husband when he got out of bed around 5 a.m. May 26. Although he is typically an early riser, something seemed off that day. When he did not return to their room, the worried wife went looking for Richards, 31, but he was nowhere to be found.
The house was empty, and the back gate was open, which was unusual because the family has dogs and small children who could easily escape the yard if it was left unsecured. The missing man's cousin, Allison Fox, acting as a representative for the family, told Fox News Digital that Richards left his phone and wallet at home, but strangely, investigators found his water bottle outside a trail near the family's house. Now the question remains: Where did he go?
More from CafeMom: Woman Stranded Alone in the Wild for 5 Days Survived on Wine & Lollipops
Richards was supposed to go to work Friday morning.
Fox told the US Sun that Richards did go for walks often and sometimes without his phone, but he typically told his wife that he was leaving. The news outlet reported that Richards liked to take time to meditate and wasn't big on social media, so he was often unplugged. Fox remarked that it was particularly strange because he was supposed to go to work that morning.
"It's a really big mystery. There's not a lot of definites or clues to go from," she said.
The search began.
The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office launched an investigation into the missing father and posted a notice on its Facebook page with details about Richards and the morning he reportedly disappeared. Fox created a Facebook page of her own, Help Us Find Colby Richards, in an effort to find her beloved cousin. The page has more than 13,000 followers and continues to grow.
The sheriff's office began its search in the wooded area behind the Richards' home, including police, volunteers, and drones. The massive search went on for six days, but officials called off efforts Wednesday after they found no significant evidence.
Despite the sheriff's office halting its investigation, family and volunteers continue to search.
Fox wrote on Facebook that the family contacted the well-known Texas search group EquuSearch for help in the investigation and that she is waiting to hear back from them.
"We are still continuing our volunteer search and reassessing on a daily basis. Currently we have volunteer help to coordinate through this coming Saturday so we plan to keep looking at least through then. We aren't giving up. We want to find Colby," she wrote.
Fox organized a GoFundMe page to help aid in the search for her missing cousin. It has raised more than $9,000 of an $8,000 goal so far.
Naysayers think Richards ran away from home intentionally.
Although many people have devoted hours and days to the search, some have dedicated their time to breaking down details and criticizing the family and police. Doubters say Richards needed a break.
"Poor guy, probably needed a night away from his wife, and she organized a search party," a man commented on the sheriff's office Facebook page.
Another follower thinks the police need to do more. "When are going to search his phone and home. 6 days and 0 signs. Get a warrant and do your job," a comment reads.
Others want more answers.
"Did this man have medical issues? Have the cameras on the street abutting the woods been checked? Their backyard gate opens onto another street, not a wooded area. Has the house been searched for clues?" One commenter wrote. "What was he wearing — can that be ascertained? What went on the night before — did he go out, did the wife? This man cannot have disappeared into thin air. I have a bad feeling about this one."
More from CafeMom: Dad of Missing 5-Week-Old Charged With Baby's Murder Hours After Pleading for Safe Return
Richards' family wants him home.
Callie Richards spoke with Fox 26 and said her husband is an engineer and baseball coach, and not knowing where he is has shaken the family. The couple shares two children, a 3-year-old daughter, and a 1-year-old son. Callie Richards said her children have caught on that something is wrong, and it's heartbreaking.
"My daughter knows," she shared with the news outlet. "Initially, we tried to keep it quiet until we could get more information, but she knows. She's been asking questions, like morbid questions. She's very smart. She's very aware of what's going on. My son has been leeching to me."
Callie Richards said her husband was in good physical and mental health, and it was certainly out of character for him to just leave. According to the sheriff's office, he was described as 6'3, 195 lbs., with blue eyes and dark blonde hair. He was wearing a T-shirt, black shorts, and gray Under Armour shoes.
The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office asks anyone with information related to the case to contact them at 936-760-5800, option 3 and refer to case #23A151879.
