Family, friends searching for missing KC man: ‘We just want him to come home’
Friends and family are looking for Kansas City man Nate Hubert, who went missing on Saturday after not showing up to work.
The 32-year-old Hubert was last seen Friday in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, by his co-workers, according to police. Hubert works as data analyst for FEMA, and he was in Cape Girardeau helping with tornado and flood relief. His parents said he has been there since June 9. Cape Girardeau is in the southeastern corner of Missouri, roughly five hours from Kansas City.
Gayle Hubert, Hubert’s mother, said FEMA notified her after her son did not report for work Saturday morning. Gayle Hubert reported him missing that same day, and by noon, Hubert’s parents were on their way to Cape Girardeau. They are still there looking for him now.
“It’s so unusual for him to just not show up at work,” Gayle Hubert told the Star. “He’s worked for FEMA for about almost eight years, and this has never happened.”
Hubert was also supposed to have dinner with his co-workers that evening but did not show up, according to his parents.
Hubert is driving a rental car that was last spotted Friday night heading west near the intersection of Missouri highways 72 and 34, near Jackson, Missouri, according to police. The car is a 2025 silver Nissan Versa with an Oklahoma license plate PZC389. However, it is not clear who is driving the rental car, according to police.
Ed Hubert, Hubert’s father, said that when his son didn’t show up for work, FEMA checked his hotel room and the local hospital and contacted his co-workers. He said FEMA has been very helpful and supportive and did a great job following its protocol for when an employee doesn’t check-in.
Ed Hubert said he doesn’t think Hubert left on purpose because all his equipment is still sitting untouched in his room.
The Cape Girardeau Police Department is investigating the case. Gayle Hubert said she is waiting to find out more information because they don’t know much right now.
“We don’t have much to go on, because there’s been no word, no word on phone or anywhere, so we don’t know where he is,” Gayle Hubert said.
Anyone with information about Hubert or his rental vehicle should call the Cape Girardeau Police Department at 573-335-6621 or email rmccall@cityofcape.org.
Supported by family and friends
Hubert’s friends and family have been actively searching for him. A Facebook group called “Find Nate Hubert” was created by Hubert’s friends on Sunday, and as of Tuesday, the group had 1,500 people. In the group, people are sharing potential leads and brainstorming ideas to find Hubert.
Gayle Hubert told the Star that many of Hubert’s friends went to Cape Girardeau to hang missing-person flyers. She said lots of people have reached out to her and Ed Hubert asking how they can help. She said Hubert’s college roommate from the University of Missouri drove down from St. Louis to assist with the search.
She also said Hubert’s FEMA co-workers have been very helpful.
“We never knew he had so many friends, and he is well loved by FEMA people and everyone that knows him,” Gayle Hubert said.
‘Nothing but kindness and smiles’
Friends and family described Hubert as a genuinely kind and caring person. His mother said he is a very good person who will always jump in and help when someone needs it. She also said he is social and loves hanging out with friends.
Jacob Sinnett, Hubert’s friend from high school, told the Star that Hubert is a “humble, gentle soul” and “nothing but kindness and smiles.” Hubert is a 2011 graduate of Park Hill South High School in Riverside, Missouri.
Hubert is also passionate about his FEMA work. Gayle Hubert said he has worked at FEMA since graduating from college eight years ago and has been all over the country responding to disasters.
Ed Hubert said his son is adventurous. He has been to Africa and South America, and has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and Machu Picchu, according to his parents. His parents said he has another climb planned for the future. He’s also an Eagle Scout.
Gayle and Ed Hubert said Hubert’s biggest passion is music, though. He is in a band called Black Light Animals, where he plays the keyboard and does backup vocals. Nate Hubert also sings in the Kansas City Symphony Chorus, according to his parents. They said he won singing awards in high school. Hubert even brought his music equipment to Cape Girardeau so he could continue playing.
Gayle Hubert said Hubert wants to make Kansas City a big music scene. His parents said he loves Kansas City and lives in the River Market area.
“We just want him to come home,” Gayle Hubert said.
This story was originally published June 24, 2025 at 3:35 PM.
