The search for 22-year-old Northern Kentucky University student Murry “Alexis” Foust has taken a painful turn after authorities located the yellow backpack the art major was last seen carrying. Foust, who uses he/they pronouns and is early in a gender transition, was reported missing after failing to arrive at class on April 27, 2026. What investigators found inside the abandoned bag has left family, friends, and the campus community reeling — a short, handwritten note of just a few lines that has broken the hearts of those who love them.

Foust was last captured on surveillance footage around 5:45–6:15 p.m. on April 27, walking alone in Covington’s Latonia neighborhood toward campus. Dressed in a dark jacket, T-shirt, patterned pants, and black sneakers, they carried the distinctive yellow or tan backpack. They never made it to class. Their car was later found parked near their apartment, and their cellphone was discovered inside the residence — untouched and with no outgoing calls or messages explaining their disappearance.

When police recovered the backpack on Northern Kentucky University’s campus, hope briefly flickered that it might hold clues to Foust’s whereabouts. Instead, the contents triggered fresh waves of heartbreak. Among personal items was a brief handwritten note — only a few short lines — whose words have reportedly devastated Foust’s parents and loved ones. While authorities have not publicly released the full text out of respect for the family and the ongoing investigation, sources close to the case describe it as deeply emotional, reflecting inner struggles that no one fully realized were reaching a breaking point.

Foust, an art major at NKU’s School of the Arts, was known among friends as creative, kind, and supportive. Close friend Charlie King described the disappearance as an “impossible situation,” noting the heavy uncertainty weighing on everyone who cares about them. “I care that he is found and people are looking out for them,” King posted, highlighting the community’s concern for Foust’s safety during their transition journey.

Covington Police, working with university officials and volunteer search teams, have deployed drones, K-9 units, and water rescue teams across the area. No foul play is suspected at this time, but concern for Foust’s well-being has grown with each passing day. The discovery of the backpack on campus — far from the car and phone — adds another layer of mystery to the case.

The note’s existence has amplified fears that Foust may have been experiencing significant emotional distress. For parents, reading even fragments of a child’s final written words creates an unimaginable ache — the realization that their child was carrying pain they may not have been able to voice aloud. In missing person cases involving young adults, such personal writings often become the most haunting evidence of silent battles with mental health, identity struggles, or overwhelming life pressures.

Northern Kentucky University released a statement expressing deep concern and confirming full cooperation with law enforcement. “Our thoughts are with Foust’s family and friends during this difficult time,” a spokesperson said. The campus community has rallied with vigils and calls for anyone with information — especially surveillance footage from the critical window on April 27 — to come forward.

Friends describe Foust as someone who brought positivity and artistic energy to those around them. The abrupt disappearance has shaken the close-knit group, many of whom continue daily searches and social media appeals. The backpack, once a daily companion on the way to classes and creative projects, now sits as a silent witness to whatever path Foust took after that last confirmed sighting.

This case highlights broader challenges faced by college students, particularly those navigating gender transition, academic pressures, and mental health in their early twenties. While the short note offers a glimpse into Foust’s inner world, it also serves as a painful reminder of how quickly someone can slip away without clear warning signs. Parents nationwide are reminded of the importance of open conversations and support networks for young adults facing hidden struggles.

As the search enters its second week, authorities urge the public to review home and business cameras from the Latonia area and campus vicinity. Even small details could prove vital. Foust’s family continues to hold onto hope for a safe return while processing the emotional weight of the note found in the backpack.

The few lines written in Foust’s own hand have become more than evidence — they are a heartbreaking message from a missing student that has touched the hearts of everyone following the story. In the quiet moments when parents read those words, the fear turns deeply personal: a child’s final thoughts, left behind in an abandoned backpack, waiting to be understood.

Anyone with information about Murry “Alexis” Foust is asked to contact Covington Police at 859-292-2234. The family and friends plead for the community’s help in bringing them home safely.