Friends and teammates of former Kansas University running back Brandon Bourbon (2010-14) have become concerned about Bourbon’s safety after attempts to reach his phone for the past two-plus days have been unsuccessful.
Monday afternoon, a missing persons report was filed with the Missouri State Highway Patrol that indicated Bourbon had not been heard from since 7:30 p.m. on April 2.
The former four-star prospect from Potosi, Mo., who came to Kansas after initially committing to Stanford, suffered through an injury-plagued five-year run at KU and finished his career at Washburn University in Topeka.
During a mid-February phone interview with the Journal-World, Bourbon sounded like his usual full-of-life self and expressed excitement about plans to start up a training business for young athletes in and around his hometown, similar to the one former KU running back Jake Sharp has started in Salina.
****MISSING PERSON**** Brandon Bourbon, 24 years of age, missing since April 2, 2016 from Washington County, MO. Ping…
Posted by Office of the Maries County Sheriff Chris Heitman on Monday, April 4, 2016
Several friends, family members and former teammates took to social media on Monday to help locate Bourbon.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Ben Heeney sent out a handful of Tweets. Former KU wide receiver Josh Ford posted a message on Facebook that was shared by dozens of former Jayhawks. And Bourbon’s mother, Janet, posted the following on her personal Facebook account:
“Looking for my son Brandon K. Bourbon. He’s not been heard from by anyone who knows him since Saturday evening. There is some incorrect information on Facebook that he was active a few hours ago. That (he) was on his computer. Please keep an eye out for him!”
According to a Tuesday update from The Associated Press, Washington County Sheriff’s Capt. Zach Jacobsen said that Bourbon’s family last saw him Saturday evening in the Potosi area, where his family lives. He says Bourbon’s car, a silver minivan, is also missing, and that Bourbon’s phone is off.
Jacobsen also said, since leaving college, Bourbon had been living in the Potosi area. He said authorities don’t suspect foul play but are concerned because it’s out of character for Bourbon to leave without contacting his family.
Anyone with information on Bourbon is asked to contact the Washington County Sheriff’s Office at 573-438-5478.
