At approximately 11:08 p.m. EDT on August 14, 2025, panic gripped Austin, Texas, as reports emerged that X Æ A-Xii, the five-year-old son of tech billionaire Elon Musk and musician Grimes, vanished from the front gate of his preschool. The news, breaking just 30 minutes ago, has sent shockwaves through the community and beyond, with Musk himself reportedly “devastated” and “frantic” as local police, supported by state authorities, mobilize a massive search effort to locate the young boy. The disappearance of X, known for his unique name and high-profile parents, has sparked a media frenzy, with the world holding its breath for updates on this unfolding crisis.
The incident occurred at Bright Futures Montessori, a private preschool in Austin’s Hyde Park neighborhood, where X was last seen around 5:45 p.m. during the after-school pickup. According to witnesses, the boy was waiting near the school’s front gate, a secure area monitored by staff, when he suddenly vanished. A teacher, conducting a routine headcount, noticed his absence and alerted the school administration, who immediately contacted Musk and Grimes. Surveillance footage reportedly shows X standing near the gate, clutching a small backpack, before stepping out of frame—possibly distracted or lured away. The footage, now in police hands, offers no clear indication of whether X wandered off or was taken, fueling both fear and speculation.
Elon Musk, 54, was in Austin at the Tesla Gigafactory when he received the call. Sources describe him as “visibly shaken,” rushing to the preschool to join the search. Known for his relentless work ethic and bold public persona, Musk has rarely shown such vulnerability. In a brief statement posted on X at 10:50 p.m., he wrote, “My son is missing. Please, if anyone in Austin has seen X, contact the police immediately. I’m begging for your help.” The post, accompanied by a recent photo of X—a bright-eyed boy with tousled hair—has been shared millions of times, amplifying the urgency of the situation. Grimes, who shares three children with Musk, is reportedly en route from Los Angeles to join the effort.
The Austin Police Department (APD) has deployed dozens of officers, K-9 units, and drones to scour the area around the preschool. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has also activated its Missing Persons Clearinghouse, issuing an Amber Alert at 10:45 p.m. The alert describes X as a five-year-old Caucasian male, approximately 3 feet 6 inches tall, with brown hair and blue eyes, last seen wearing a blue Tesla-branded t-shirt, khaki shorts, and red sneakers. Authorities are urging residents in Hyde Park and surrounding neighborhoods to check yards, sheds, and security footage for any sign of the boy. “Time is critical,” said APD Chief Lisa Davis in a press briefing. “We’re treating this as a top priority and asking the community to be our eyes and ears.”
Bright Futures Montessori, a highly regarded school catering to Austin’s elite, has faced scrutiny over its security protocols. Parents and staff are cooperating fully, but questions are swirling about how a child could disappear from a monitored gate. The school issued a statement expressing “deep sorrow” and pledging support for the search, noting that all children were accounted for during the day’s activities until the pickup period. A parent at the scene told reporters, “It’s every parent’s nightmare. One minute he was there, and then he was gone. We’re all praying for X’s safe return.”
The disappearance comes at a tumultuous time for Musk, whose recent activities have kept him in the headlines. Just days ago, on August 11, he narrowly escaped disaster in a plane crash at Kalispell City Airport in Montana, where the Socata TBM 700 he was aboard skidded into parked aircraft during landing. The incident, which left Musk and three others with minor injuries, underscored his high-risk lifestyle. Now, facing a personal crisis, Musk’s wealth and influence—estimated at $250 billion—offer little solace. His presence in Austin, where he relocated Tesla’s headquarters in 2021, has made him a local figure, but the city’s growing pains, including rising crime in some areas, have raised concerns about safety.
Speculation about X’s disappearance is rampant. Some fear he may have wandered off, drawn by curiosity—a trait Musk has often attributed to himself and his children. X, named with a nod to Musk’s fascination with innovation (the “X” reflects his company X Corp), has been described as precocious and adventurous. A recent viral story claimed X briefly went missing during a school trip to a science museum, only to be found helping another lost child, suggesting a pattern of independent behavior. Others, however, suspect foul play, given Musk’s high profile and polarizing public image. His vocal political stances, including support for President-elect Donald Trump and criticism of certain social policies, have made him a target for threats. While no ransom demands have surfaced, police are not ruling out abduction.
The search effort is expanding rapidly. Volunteers from the Austin community have joined first responders, combing nearby parks, alleys, and the banks of Waller Creek. Texas Rangers and FBI agents specializing in missing children cases have arrived to assist, leveraging advanced technology like thermal imaging and facial recognition. Governor Greg Gianforte, referencing Musk’s recent aid in Texas flood relief efforts, posted on X, “Our state stands with Elon and his family. Every resource is being deployed to bring X home.” The hashtag #FindXMusk is trending globally, with users sharing tips and prayers, though some posts have fueled unverified theories about motives behind the disappearance.
Musk’s personal life adds layers of complexity to the crisis. His 14 children, born to three different mothers—Justine Wilson, Grimes, and Neuralink executive Shivon Zillis—reflect an unconventional family dynamic. His relationship with X’s mother, Grimes, has been strained since their 2021 split, with custody disputes occasionally surfacing. Grimes, whose real name is Claire Boucher, has been vocal about her commitment to their children, and her imminent arrival in Austin suggests a united front. Musk’s older children, including 20-year-old Vivian Jenna Wilson, who publicly distanced herself from him in 2022 over ideological differences, have not commented, but sources say the family is rallying behind the search.
The emotional toll on Musk is evident. Known for his stoic demeanor, he was seen pacing outside the preschool, coordinating with police and speaking to witnesses. A local resident who joined the search described him as “a father first, not a billionaire—his fear was palpable.” This humanizes Musk, whose public image often oscillates between genius and provocateur. His recent comments about losing his son Vivian to “the woke mind-virus” sparked controversy, but today, his focus is singular: finding X.
The case echoes other high-profile missing children incidents, drawing parallels to Musk’s own history of aiding in crises. In 2018, he sent engineers to assist in rescuing a Thai soccer team trapped in a cave, and earlier this year, he donated millions to Texas flood victims. Now, the tables have turned, with the community stepping up for him. Local businesses are offering resources, and residents are posting flyers with X’s photo across Austin.
As the clock ticks past 11:30 p.m., the search intensifies. Police have cordoned off a two-mile radius around the preschool, and helicopters are scanning from above. The weather, clear but cooling to the low 70s, raises concerns about X’s safety if he’s exposed overnight. Experts warn that the first 24 hours are critical in missing child cases, with survival rates dropping significantly after 48 hours.
This heartbreaking saga has gripped the world, transcending Musk’s celebrity. X, a child born into extraordinary circumstances, is now the focus of a desperate race against time. For Elon Musk, whose vision has reshaped industries, this is a battle he cannot control with technology or wealth. As Austin unites in hope, the question looms: where is X Æ A-Xii, and will he be found safe? The nation watches, prays, and waits for news of a little boy whose disappearance has shaken an empire.
