A Japanese man who disappeared in Las Vegas while planning to enter the World Series of Poker main event has been found safe, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department told The Independent on Thursday.
Police did not provide any further details about 27-year-old Yuto Moriyasu’s whereabouts.
Moriyasu, a poker assistant, arrived from Japan in May with the intent to enter the series. He was last seen on July 2 around 11 a.m., dropping off his friend, Nobuaki Sasaki, at the Horseshoe Casino.
Sasaki told Fox 5 Vegas, through a translator, that Moriyasu returned to their Spring Valley Airbnb after getting burgers and texted around 1 p.m., saying he would join him at the casino, but never showed up.
“Yuto and I are in constant communication all the time, daily, and then all of a sudden the communication stopped,” Sasaki told the outlet.
Later that day, Sasaki returned to the rental home to find their shared car in the driveway, a kitchen knife on the living room chair, along with Moriyasu’s wallet, Japanese ID, daily sandals and cell phone. There was also a “large amount of cash” still in an unlocked drawer.
“At first, my guess was he maybe went to the casino to gamble and he lost all his money,” Sasaki said. “It’s already been a week, so I am very concerned.”
Moriyasu’s U.S. wallet with his Japanese passport and $10,000 in cash meant for a poker tournament buy-in fee was nowhere to be found inside the Airbnb.
“Since he doesn’t know the city, he never goes anywhere without his cell phone for directions, communication,” Sasaki said.
“It’s just very suspicious to me. Because whichever the scenario is— whether he left on his own, the money is still here, or if he was followed and taken, the money is still here,” he added.
Sasaki said he spoke to Moriyasu’s family in Japan every day while he was missing, as they are trying to help even from thousands of miles away.
Metro police were investigating this case, but did not consider Moriyasu endangered.
