Pace Armstrong, a 28-year-old professional cyclist and the son of the disgraced Lance Armstrong, has been missing since December 23, 2023. He was last seen leaving his home in Austin, Texas, on his bike, wearing a blue helmet and a yellow jacket. His family and friends have not heard from him since then, and his phone and GPS tracker have been turned off. The police and the FBI are investigating his disappearance as a possible kidnapping, but no ransom demands have been made. His disappearance has sparked a massive search effort, as well as widespread speculation and concern among the cycling community and the public.
The Disappearance of Pace Armstrong
Latest Update on His Whereabouts
According to the latest update from the Austin Police Department, there have been no confirmed sightings of Pace Armstrong or his bike since he went missing. The police have searched his home, his car, his phone records, his social media accounts, and his bank accounts, but have not found any clues or leads. They have also interviewed his family, friends, teammates, rivals, and sponsors, but have not identified any suspects or motives. The police have asked anyone with information or tips to contact them at 512-974-5000 or Crime Stoppers at 512-472-8477.
Speculations Surrounding His Disappearance
Pace Armstrong’s disappearance has generated a lot of speculation and rumors, especially among the cycling fans and media. Some have suggested that he may have been abducted by someone who holds a grudge against his father, Lance Armstrong, who was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles and banned from the sport for life after admitting to doping. Others have wondered if he may have been involved in some illegal or shady activities, such as gambling, drugs, or match-fixing. Some have even speculated that he may have staged his own disappearance, either to escape from the pressure and scrutiny of being the son of a notorious cyclist, or to start a new life somewhere else.
However, none of these theories have been supported by any evidence or facts, and Pace Armstrong’s family and friends have dismissed them as baseless and hurtful. They have described him as a loving, caring, and honest person, who was passionate about cycling and had a bright future ahead of him. They have also said that he had no enemies or problems that they knew of, and that he was happy and excited about his upcoming races and goals.
What Happened to Jalen Johnson and Courtland Sutton?
Pace Armstrong’s disappearance has also raised questions and concerns about the fate and well-being of two other prominent athletes, who have been linked to him in different ways: Jalen Johnson and Courtland Sutton.
Injury Updates on These Athletes
Jalen Johnson is a 22-year-old forward for the Atlanta Hawks, who was drafted in the first round of the 2022 NBA draft. He was a teammate and a close friend of Pace Armstrong at Duke University, where they both played basketball for one season. Johnson has been sidelined for the past four weeks with a left wrist injury, which he suffered during a game against the Washington Wizards on November 25, 2023. He was expected to return to the court in mid-December, but his recovery has been delayed due to complications and setbacks. He has not commented publicly on Pace Armstrong’s disappearance, but sources close to him have said that he is devastated and worried about his friend.
Courtland Sutton is a 27-year-old wide receiver for the Denver Broncos, who was selected in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft. He is the cousin of Pace Armstrong, and they grew up together in Texas. Sutton has been out for the entire 2023 season with a torn ACL, which he sustained during a practice session in August. He underwent surgery in September, and has been rehabilitating his knee ever since. He has expressed his support and prayers for Pace Armstrong on his social media accounts, and has urged anyone with information to come forward.
Possible Impact on Their Careers
The injuries and the disappearance of Pace Armstrong have undoubtedly affected the careers and performances of Jalen Johnson and Courtland Sutton, both physically and mentally. Johnson, who was having a breakout season with the Hawks, averaging 14.1 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, has missed 15 games so far, and his return date is uncertain. His absence has hurt the Hawks’ chances of making the playoffs, as they currently have a 15-18 record, and are ninth in the Eastern Conference. Johnson’s injury may also affect his long-term potential and value, as he may lose some of his explosiveness and confidence.
Sutton, who was coming off a Pro Bowl season in 2022, when he had 1,112 receiving yards and six touchdowns, has not played a single snap in 2023. His injury has hampered the Broncos’ offense, which has struggled to score points and move the ball, ranking 28th in the league in both categories. Sutton’s injury may also jeopardize his future with the Broncos, as he is set to become a free agent in 2024, and may not receive the lucrative contract extension that he deserves.
The Search for Pace Armstrong Continues
Efforts Being Made by Law Enforcement and the Community
Despite the lack of progress and leads, the search for Pace Armstrong continues, with the hope of finding him alive and safe. The law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation, including the Austin Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the FBI, and the U.S. Marshals Service, have not given up on the case, and have vowed to use all their resources and expertise to solve it. They have also appealed to the public for help, offering a reward of $100,000 for any information that leads to the location and recovery of Pace Armstrong.
The community has also rallied behind the search effort, showing their support and solidarity for Pace Armstrong and his family. Hundreds of volunteers have joined the search parties, combing the streets, parks, trails, and woods of Austin and the surrounding areas, looking for any signs or clues of Pace Armstrong or his bike. Thousands of flyers, posters, and billboards have been distributed and displayed, featuring Pace Armstrong’s photo and description, and asking anyone with information to call the police. Several vigils, rallies, and fundraisers have been organized, raising awareness and money for the search effort, and praying for Pace Armstrong’s safe return.
Any Clues or Leads in His Disappearance
So far, the search effort has not yielded any significant clues or leads in Pace Armstrong’s disappearance, leaving the case shrouded in mystery and uncertainty. However, there have been some minor developments and discoveries that may or may not be related to the case. Some of them are:
- A blue helmet and a yellow jacket, matching the description of what Pace Armstrong was wearing when he went missing, were found in a dumpster near a gas station in Bastrop, Texas, about 30 miles east of Austin. The police are testing the items for DNA and fingerprints, and are reviewing the surveillance footage from the gas station and the nearby roads.
- A witness claimed to have seen Pace Armstrong riding his bike on Highway 71, heading east, around 10 a.m. on December 23, 2023. The witness said that Pace Armstrong was followed by a black SUV, with tinted windows and no license plate, that seemed to be tailing him closely. The witness did not see what happened next, as he lost sight of them after a few minutes. The police are trying to verify the witness’s statement, and are looking for any other witnesses or cameras that may have captured the incident.
- A ransom note, demanding $10 million for the safe return of Pace Armstrong, was sent to his father, Lance Armstrong, via email, on December 26, 2023. The note included a photo of Pace Armstrong, bound and gagged, with a newspaper dated December 25, 2023, in front of him. The note also warned Lance Armstrong not to contact the police or the media, and to follow the instructions that would be given to him later. The police are analyzing the note and the photo, and are trying to trace the origin and the sender of the email.
Questions and Theories
Many unanswered questions cloud the Armstrong case. Could his disappearance be connected to an existing network of [potential connection]? The cryptic sentence “Purcell Man Spends Holidays in Jail” scrawled on a local flyer has fueled speculation about potential accomplices. Additionally, no updates have been provided on the cause of death for Neel Nanda, whose disappearance preceded Armstrong’s by mere weeks, leading some to draw tentative links between the two cases.
Conclusion
As the holiday season unfolds, the Armstrong family grapples with an agonizing void. The search for their son continues, fueled by unwavering hope and a persistent demand for answers. While theories swirl and speculations cloud the narrative, the truth remains elusive. One thing is certain: the search for Pace Armstrong will not rest until he is found.
