A Texas man found lying outside a church after going missing in 2015 is currently non-verbal and unable to communicate, says his mother.
Rudy Farias was found by police and firefighters on Thursday night after a call came in about a man on the ground in southeast Houston.
It’s not clear where he has been for the past eight years, said police spokesman John Cannon.
Detectives have not yet spoken to him – but hope to do so on Wednesday – and the 25-year-old remains in hospital.
His mother, Janie Santana, said in a statement: “What we do know is at the time of his recovery, a good Samaritan located him unresponsive and immediately called police and 911.
“My son Rudy is receiving the care he needs to overcome his trauma, but at this time, he is non-verbal and not able to communicate with us.”
Mr Farias, then 18, was reported missing from Houston on 6 March 2015.
He was last seen walking his two dogs, near his home. Both dogs returned to the house without their leads.
Reasons for his disappearance remain unknown, but police at the time did not suspect any criminal activity.
Family said he suffered from depression, particularly after the death of his older brother in a motorbike accident years before.
Read more:
Champion skydiver dies aged 29
Influencer meets her baby for first time after waking up from coma
It was also thought he might have been disorientated because he wasn’t taking his medication.
“He watched his best friend die right in front of him,” Brenda Paradise, a private investigator, said in April 2015.
“His brother was his best friend in the world. He’s just gone through so much more than anyone his age ever should.”
Police spokesman Mr Cannon said on Monday that the family had reported seeing him in September 2018, staying behind a relative’s home, but when they showed up he couldn’t be found.
Mr Farias’s mother said the family wants “privacy during this difficult time but will share more details as Rudy continues to heal”.