SAFETY CONCERNS 

Last surveillance pics of missing student Murry Foust, 22, wearing bag later found abandoned as search enters 2nd week

THE search for a missing college student has stretched into a second week, with loved ones becoming increasingly concerned for their safety.

Murry “Alexis” Foust, 22, was reported missing after they did not attend class at Northern Kentucky University on April 27.

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Murry Foust was reported missing after they failed to show up for class at Northern Kentucky UniversityCredit: Facebook/Charlie King
 

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Foust was last captured on surveillance footage wearing a backpack, which was later found at the universityCredit: Covington Police Department
 

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A friend of Foust said this behavior is unlike themCredit: Covington Police Department
Foust, whose legal name is Alexis Marie, was last seen around 5:30pm on April 27 heading to NKU from Cincinnati, Ohio, Charlie King, a close friend of Foust, said in a Facebook post.

“Murry never made it to class and has been missing ever since,” King wrote.

“Concerns for their safety have arisen,” the Covington Police Department said in a statement on Friday.

The Covington Police Department released surveillance footage images on Saturday appearing to be the last known sighting of Foust, where they were seen walking with a yellow backpack in the Latonia neighborhood of Covington, a roughly 15 minute drive from Cincinnati.

Foust’s car was found near their apartment in Kentucky, and their bag was located at the university, King said.

The 22-year-old’s phone was also found at their apartment.

“At this time, there is no indication of foul play,” Covington police told The U.S. Sun on Monday.

King said Foust has a documented history of mental health disorders and takes medication.

“There is not a trace of Murry anywhere, and their friends, family, and one of my best friends who is their partner are all very worried,” King wrote on Facebook.

“Murry has never done this, and was in good spirits before they went missing.

“This behavior is unheard of for Murry, and we are all panicking.”

Foust is scheduled to graduate on Saturday with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from NKU’s College of Arts and Sciences, the university told The U.S. Sun.

NKU asked those with information to contact the Covington Police Department.

“We are deeply concerned and our thoughts are with their family, friends and all those impacted,” the university said in a statement to The U.S. Sun.

“The Covington Police Department is leading the investigation, and we are fully cooperating and supporting their efforts.”

The university also said there is “round-the-clock student support services” for anyone who needs.

The Covington Police Department told The U.S. Sun it has launched an extensive search utilizing drones, K9s, water search and rescue teams and the department’s investigators.

Eve Miller, a friend of Foust’s, told ABC affiliate WPCO, that friends searching for Foust are remaining hopeful.

“I think it’s really important for the community to look for someone when they’re missing,” Miller said.

“We don’t know what happened. They could be in danger.”

Foust’s father told the outlet that the college student has been seen as recently as Friday but has not been heard from.

Foust was last spotted wearing a t-shirt, a dark jacket, patterned pants and sneakers, per photos shared by the police.

They also have a few tattoos, including a ram skull on their upper arm, a depiction of a crucified Jesus Christ on one of their shins and a geometric striped pattern on their elbow.

Covington police have asked anyone who sees Foust to “call 911 immediately and notify authorities.”

Tips can be shared with Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Crime Stoppers at 513-356-3020 or directly with Covington detectives at 859-292-2234.

5 minutes ago: Police found the backpack of missing 22-year-old University of Northern Kentucky student Murry “Alexis” Foust, but SADLY, what was inside left everyone stunned. A letter of just a few lines was enough to break the hearts of parents

The Heartbreaking Discovery in the Backpack of Missing NKU Student Murry “Alexis” Foust

In a devastating new development reported just moments ago, authorities in Covington, Kentucky, have recovered the backpack of 22-year-old Northern Kentucky University student Murry “Alexis” Foust. What investigators found inside has left family, friends, and the community stunned and grieving. A short letter, consisting of just a few handwritten lines, was discovered among the student’s belongings. Sources close to the investigation describe its contents as deeply emotional, enough to break the hearts of Foust’s parents and loved ones who have been desperately hoping for a safe return.

Murry “Alexis” Foust, a talented fine arts major set to graduate on May 9, 2026, vanished on April 27 after failing to appear for class. The recovery of the backpack on the NKU campus, combined with the poignant letter, has shifted the tone of the search from urgent hope to profound sorrow. While police have not released the full text of the note publicly, those who have been briefed say it conveys a sense of finality, inner turmoil, and love for family that has moved even seasoned investigators.

Who Is Murry “Alexis” Foust?

Legal name Alexis Marie Foust, the 22-year-old often went by Murry or Alexis and used they/them pronouns. Standing 5 feet 7 inches tall with shoulder-length brown or black-dyed wavy hair and brown eyes, Foust was easily identifiable by distinctive tattoos: a geometric striped pattern on one elbow, a ram skull on an upper arm, and a crucified Jesus Christ on a shin. As a student in NKU’s School of the Arts, Foust was known for creativity, kindness, and a quiet passion for visual expression.

Friends described Foust as reliable and deeply connected to their artistic community. One close friend, Charlie King, has been vocal on social media, emphasizing that this disappearance was completely out of character. “Murry has never done this before,” King posted, highlighting the worry shared by Foust’s partner and tight-knit circle of friends. The impending graduation was supposed to be a celebration of years of hard work in a supportive university environment. Instead, it has become a focal point of anxiety for the entire campus.

The Timeline Leading to the Disappearance

On April 27, Foust was last captured on surveillance footage walking in the Latonia neighborhood of Covington around 6 p.m. Dressed in an oversized dark jacket, dark T-shirt, loose patterned pants, black sneakers, and carrying the now-recovered yellow backpack, Foust appeared to be heading toward Northern Kentucky University after spending time in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine area.

Foust never made it to class. Their car was later found parked just a block from their apartment off Decoursey Avenue in Latonia. The phone was discovered inside the residence, suggesting Foust had left it behind before stepping out. The backpack’s recovery on campus initially offered a clue that Foust might have reached the university grounds but then vanished. Now, with the letter inside, authorities are piecing together a more personal narrative.

The letter, according to preliminary reports, was tucked carefully among sketchbooks, art supplies, and personal items. Its few lines reportedly expressed deep affection for family, reflections on struggles that had gone unspoken, and a tone that suggested Foust may have been contemplating a significant life change or facing overwhelming emotional pain. Parents, who have maintained a private vigil, were reportedly overcome upon learning of its contents. One source familiar with the family called it “a message that no parent should ever have to read.”

Community Reaction and Ongoing Search

The news has rippled through Covington and the Greater Cincinnati area, sparking an outpouring of support mixed with heartbreak. Northern Kentucky University issued a statement: “Our thoughts are with their family, friends and all those impacted. The Covington Police Department is leading the investigation, and we are fully cooperating.”

Local media outlets including WCPO, the Cincinnati Enquirer, and NewsNation have kept the story prominent, sharing surveillance images and appeals for tips. Social media platforms are filled with shared posts featuring Foust’s photo and descriptions. Volunteers have organized searches in Latonia’s tree-lined streets and along nearby areas bordering the Ohio River.

Latonia, a historic neighborhood with Victorian architecture and a diverse mix of residents, sits in a convenient yet sometimes transitional zone near major highways and bridges to Ohio. Its proximity to urban Cincinnati offers cultural vibrancy but also potential vulnerabilities for young adults navigating independence.

The Broader Implications: Student Mental Health and Safety

Foust’s case highlights ongoing challenges for college students, particularly those in creative fields where emotional expression and personal identity exploration are central. End-of-semester pressures, graduation transitions, and unspoken mental health struggles can converge powerfully. While no official determination has been made regarding the circumstances, the letter’s discovery underscores the importance of checking in on loved ones and recognizing signs of distress.

Kentucky and the tri-state area have resources for missing persons through the Covington Police Department and national databases like NamUs. Mental health support on campuses like NKU includes counseling services, though off-campus living shifts some responsibility to community awareness. The Ohio River corridor can complicate searches due to jurisdictional lines, making public tips essential.

The four-word or short message trope in earlier reports has now evolved in public telling to this letter, amplifying emotional stakes. Digital forensics on the phone and analysis of the note’s handwriting, timing, and context will likely provide investigators with clearer direction. Authorities continue to stress that every detail matters.

A Portrait of Potential and the Pain of Uncertainty

Foust’s artistic journey at NKU represented growth, community, and future promise. Friends recall shared studio sessions, late-night discussions about art and life, and a gentle personality that drew people in. The discovery of the backpack and its contents has transformed the narrative from “missing student” to a more intimate human story of someone who may have been carrying heavy burdens while pursuing dreams.

As the search enters its second week, hope persists alongside sorrow. The letter’s words, though private, have humanized Foust’s last known actions and reminded everyone of the fragility of life’s plans. Parents and family, supported by friends and the wider community, hold onto the possibility of reunion and answers.

Covington Police urge anyone with information to contact them immediately at 911 or 859-292-2234. Even sightings from April 27 or knowledge of Foust’s recent conversations could prove vital. In the arts, absence often inspires reflection; here, the community hopes for presence and healing.

Foust remains missing as of the latest reports. The yellow backpack and its heartbreaking letter serve as silent witnesses in an investigation that has touched many hearts. For a soon-to-be graduate with creative talent and a loving network, the story is a painful reminder to cherish connections and watch over one another.