VERO BEACH — A Vero Beach man who was last seen leaving his family’s restaurant business earlier this month has been found safe, according to police. A phone ping helped officers find Liu Y. Zhao at a hotel room in Kissimmee on July 13, said Officer Kelsea Callahan, a spokesperson for the Vero Beach Police Department.
“Our officers made contact with Liu to confirm it was him, that he wasn’t harmed, and that he wasn’t suffering from any suicidal thoughts,” Callahan said. “(Zhao) said he willingly left his home on July 7 because he needed his space from his family due to personal reasonings.”
Zhao, 23, of Vero Beach, left Chef Lins Asian Buffett, located in the 1800 block of U.S. 1 in Vero Beach, on the evening of July 6. Zhao then left his home the next morning about 5:15 a.m., Callahan said.
Family members reported Zhao missing after he did not return.
Vero Beach police previously said Zhao traveled in a grey 2019 Honda HR-V and was possibly in central Florida. Officers issued an alert on social media asking those who may come into contact with Zhao to contact police Det. Gio Fonseca.
Police issued a recent follow up alert on social media that stated Zhao was found safe.
