LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Concern is growing across the Las Vegas Valley for a missing poker player from Japan. Friends say he disappeared on the same day he was hoping to play in the World Series of Poker Main Event.
According to a Metro Police report, 27-year-old Yuto Moriyasu came to Las Vegas at the end of May. He was staying at a short-term rental with Nobuaki Sasaki, who FOX5 interviewed through a translator.
“This is Yuto’s first time in Las Vegas, first time out of his country, into the US, and he was enjoying himself. He really enjoyed gambling, and he had a really good time playing at the tables,” Sasaki said.
Sasaki said throughout the summer, Moriyasu played games with smaller buy-ins, sharpening his teeth for the Main Event on July 2.
That’s the day he was last seen, when he dropped Sasaki off at the Horseshoe Casino at 11 a.m., according to a police report.
“Yuto and I are in constant communication all the time, daily, and then all of a sudden the communication stopped,” Sasaki said.
Sasaki said the last time he heard from his friend was via text message, just before 1 p.m.. Moriyasu texted that he just got home, and would head over to the casino shortly, but he never showed up.
Later in the day, Sasaki said he returned to their short-term rental to find their shared car parked in the driveway, a kitchen knife on the living room chair, and Moriyasu’s wallet, Japanese ID, shoes, and cell phone.
“Since he doesn’t know the city, he never goes anywhere without his cell phone for directions, communication,” Sasaki said.
Also still in the home- what Sasaki described as a “large amount of cash” in an unlocked drawer.
“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 said.
There were items missing along with Moriyasu, according to the police report: his other wallet he uses in the U.S., holding his Japanese Passport, and $10,000 in cash. Sasaki said he planned on using the cash as a buy-in for the main event.
“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.”
Sasaki said he talks to Moriyasu’s family in Japan every day, who are doing what they can from thousands of miles away.
Metro Police say they are investigating the case, but at this time, Moriyasu is not considered endangered.
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