Man’s phone was turned off days after checked out of a hospital and vanished. 8 months later, he remains missing
Robert La Polla’s phone was turned off six days after he vanished
NEED TO KNOW
- Robert La Polla, 47, checked out of a Florida hospital in January and remains missing, his family said
- “He’s got a family that love him,” his sister said
- La Polla has a young daughter who is waiting for his return
A 47-year-old Florida man checked out of a hospital in Fort Pierce in January and hasn’t been heard from since, according to his family.
“We’ve gone through woods, under bridges, talking to people everywhere in Fort Pierce, trying to find anything that brings us to him,” Aubrey Finley told CBS affiliate WPEC about her brother, Robert La Polla.
According to the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, La Polla was last seen on Jan. 8. He is described as 5’9” and 170 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes.
The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) added that La Polla’s phone was turned off six days after he vanished, and he has not made contact with family and friends.
“He has scars on each wrist; devil and skull tattoos on his right arm; a rosary with a cross and initials on his left arm; a New York Giants logo on one calf; and a female angel and devil tattoo on his chest,” the sheriff’s missing person’s alert stated.
Finley told WPEC that her brother had been depressed following the deaths of their parents.
“Everything kind of fell apart,” she told the outlet. “But we still managed to communicate a lot. We were still there for each other all the time.”
La Polla has a young daughter who is waiting for her father.
“I miss him. She misses him,” Finley further said of her brother. “He’s got a family that love him.”
La Polla’s family and friends searched for the man in Fort Pierce, including spots near HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital, WPEC reported.
NEED TO KNOW
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
When contacted by PEOPLE on Friday, Oct. 2, the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office said there have been no new updates in the case.
Those with information regarding La Polla’s whereabouts can call 911, contact SLCSO Detective Corporal Drawdy at 772-462-3602, or email [email protected].
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.
