Samuel's family, who reside in California, are grappling with his sudden disappearance and the limited information that has followed. His sister, Natasha Vengrinovich, says Samuel was raised in Fremont, where he attended high school before going on to study in San Francisco. He later moved to Israel in 2015, but relocated again in 2023 due to conflict in the region. For the past eight months, the family believes, he had been living in India.
In a family text message thread dated June 4, Samuel shared that he had just heard the Dalai Lama speak that morning—something he was excited about. The next day, June 5, he texted again, mentioning plans for a hike and discussing an upcoming family reunion. That was the last direct communication from him. The silence that followed raised immediate concern among his family.
Described as a spiritual individual with a calm and grounding presence, Samuel was deeply involved in yoga and lived a peaceful lifestyle. His sister remembers him as someone who was always ready with reassuring words, reminding others to stay calm and trust that everything would be okay. His disappearance has left a hole in the lives of loved ones, who are now navigating a difficult and uncertain situation.
Since Samuel was reported missing, his family has been in constant communication with friends and volunteers in India who are assisting with the search. Calls and updates come in sporadically, and the family has been working to coordinate a private rescue effort, due to the remoteness of the area and the challenges faced by local authorities.
To fund this operation, they have launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover the significant expenses associated with hiring a professional search team, transportation, and logistics in the difficult terrain. The family has contracted a company to begin the search, but resources are limited, and the costs are mounting quickly.
They have asked the public not to attempt to search on their own, as the mountainous region presents numerous risks. Instead, those wishing to help are urged to contact local support channels already involved in the search effort. Safety remains a priority, and the family wants to ensure that no one else is endangered during the rescue attempt.
Efforts to engage official support have so far been slow. The family has been trying to work with American diplomatic channels but has not received confirmation on when or how further assistance might be provided. This delay prompted a public appeal for help from government leaders or anyone with influence to push for faster coordination between U.S. and Indian authorities.
"If anyone in power hears this and can intervene, it could make all the difference," said Natasha. “We need help coordinating with officials on the ground to get more resources involved in the search.” As each day passes, the urgency of the search increases. The hope remains that Samuel is somewhere waiting to be found. In the meantime, his family and friends continue to push forward with determination, supported by an outpouring of love and concern from around the world. Their message is simple: every moment matters, and every helping hand counts.
