TikTok self-help influencer William “Bill” Hooper has been reported missing, with his parents sharing that he was “overwhelmed” with his growing social media following.
Bill, 29, was last seen when he left his hometown in the New Jersey area and took a train to New York City on Thursday, May 21, according to an alert that was shared by police in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, via social media. Authorities added that his last known location was Penn Station in midtown Manhattan around 9:40 a.m.
Following his disappearance, his parents, Jim Hooper and Marilyn Hooper, spoke about the situation in a video that was shared via the Lyndhurst Police Department’s social media platforms on Tuesday, May 26. In the clip, a police officer noted that there is “no criminal investigation going on” amid the search for Hopper.
Jim and Marilyn also spoke to NJ.com, saying that their son was overwhelmed and vulnerable at the time he went missing. They also shared that Bill experienced a rough period after he injured his leg, which stopped him from working his job at a wine store in New York City. The parents added that he moved back into his parents’ New Jersey home in January amid his recovery.
The Hoopers shared that Bill went from having 10 TikTok followers to more than 23,000 in the past year, which made him feel anxious. Bill eventually stopped posting videos in March due to his uncomfortable feelings regarding his online success.
“I think he was overwhelmed by modern-day use of cellphones and with blowing up on TikTok,” Jim said.
Bill earned a following by sharing videos, in which he often urged others to respect themselves and to stop using substances like marijuana. While many people viewed the videos and even responded, Bill’s parents said the growing attention only made him more anxious.
“The attention caused him anxiety. There’s a bigger story here,” Jim said.
Bill previously opened up about his leg injury in a social media video shared on March 18, which marks his most recent post. At the time, he said he started to improve once he began working out consistently.
“I’ve been taking my health for granted, something that you shouldn’t do. Do not take your health for granted. Dude, your health is everything,” he said in the video, which included the caption, “If you have your health, you have everything you need.”
Authorities have asked that anyone who may have information regarding Bill’s whereabouts call the Lyndhurst Police Department at 201-939-2900. Additionally, tips can be submitted via email to tips@lyndhurstnjpolice.gov.
