The 29-year-old garnered a following of over 23,000 TikTok users by sharing motivational videos
Credit: Lyndhurst Police Department
NEED TO KNOW
- TikToker William “Bill” Hooper has been located “in good health” over one week after his parents reported him missing after he was last seen on May 21
- The 29-year-old is known on social media for sharing self-help videos and motivational messages to over 23,000 followers on TikTok
- Lyndhurst Police Department Deputy Chief Paul F. Haggerty tells PEOPLE in a statement that the content creator resurfaced “on his own accord” on May 29
TikToker William "Bill" Hooper has been located over one week after he went missing.
The Lyndhurst Police Department shared a social media update that Bill, 29, was located around midday on Friday, May 29. The local New Jersey authorities' post confirmed that the content creator — who boasts over 23,000 followers on his TikTok page — was found "in good health."
Lyndhurst Police Department Deputy Chief Paul F. Haggerty tells PEOPLE in a statement that Bill resurfaced "on his own accord."
"There was no criminality with this investigation, and all law enforcement efforts were in assistance of the Hooper family," adds Haggerty. "Our officers remained steadfast in coordinating with our federal, state, county, and local counterparts in bringing all investigative leads to a successful conclusion."
Bill was initially reported missing after he was last seen on May 21. The Lyndhurst Police Department circulated an alert on social media stating that he left his home and took a train to New York City's Penn Station.
The 29-year-old's parents, Jim and Marilyn Hooper, spoke about the situation in a video shared on the Lyndhurst Police Department's social media platforms. In the clip, which was posted on Tuesday, May 26, a police officer noted that there is "no criminal investigation going on."
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Days before Bill was found, NJ.com reported that Jim and Marilyn described their son as overwhelmed and vulnerable. They told the outlet that Bill experienced a rough period after he injured his leg and could not continue working his job at a Manhattan wine store. In January, he moved back into his parents' home.
The parents also told NJ.com that Bill gained over 23,000 TikTok followers over the course of the past year. His account features regular posts of the content creator reflecting on life's challenges and sharing motivational words.
In his most recent upload, which was shared on March 18, Bill opened up about his leg injury, which he said started to improve once he started to work 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 recording. In his caption, he added, "If you have your health, you have everything you need."
Bill's parents told NJ.com that the online attention caused him to feel some anxiety, which is why he paused posting in March. “I think he was overwhelmed by modern-day use of cellphones and with blowing up on TikTok,” Jim told the outlet.
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