Former San Jose State Football Player Missing After Daly City Encounter

Family desperate to find Hadari Darden, 28, last seen at Skyline Plaza shopping center

Apr. 10, 2026 at 12:11am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a green and tan backpack against a dark background, creating a stark, gritty aesthetic that evokes the mystery and urgency surrounding Hadari Darden's disappearance.The backpack Hadari Darden was carrying when he vanished raises questions about his whereabouts and well-being.San Jose Today

Hadari Darden, a 28-year-old former San Jose State University football player, has gone missing after being questioned by Daly City police at the Skyline Plaza shopping center early Sunday morning. Darden's family is deeply concerned, as he was last heard from on Saturday after leaving his Berkeley home and never returned home or showed up for work on Monday.

Why it matters

Darden's sudden disappearance has left his family and community deeply worried, as he has no known ties to Daly City and was acting out of character before vanishing. The fact that police encountered him but let him leave raises questions about what may have happened next, heightening the urgency to find him.

The details

According to Darden's mother, Hanifea Click, he made it to a hair appointment in Oakland on Saturday afternoon but never returned home or met up with family as planned the next day. Daly City police told the family they had questioned Darden at the Skyline Plaza shopping center early Sunday morning after receiving a report of a suspicious person, but said he seemed normal and allowed him to leave. Darden, who works at Kaiser, never showed up for his job on Monday.

  • On Saturday afternoon, Darden was last heard from after leaving his Berkeley home and making it to a hair appointment in Oakland.
  • Early Sunday morning, Daly City police encountered Darden at the Skyline Plaza shopping center.
  • On Monday, Darden failed to show up for work at Kaiser, where he is employed.

The players

Hadari Darden

A 28-year-old former football player at San Jose State University who has gone missing after being questioned by Daly City police.

Hanifea Click

Darden's mother, who is deeply concerned about her son's sudden disappearance and behavior changes prior to his vanishing.

Steven Jefferson

Darden's uncle, who says the entire community is looking for Hadari and wants him to come home.

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What they’re saying

“I don't know how to feel right now. I'm angry, I'm sad, I'm hurt. I just want to find my son.”

— Hanifea Click, Darden's mother

“He has love from the whole community, from his team members, college mates, teachers, coaches. Just everybody is looking for Hadari right now. We all love him and we want him home.”

— Steven Jefferson, Darden's uncle

What’s next

Darden's family and local authorities continue to search for any leads or information that could help locate the missing 28-year-old. They are urging the public to come forward with any details that could aid in finding Hadari Darden.

The takeaway

This case highlights the urgent need to find Hadari Darden and understand what may have happened after he was encountered by Daly City police. His sudden disappearance has left his loved ones deeply concerned, and the community is rallying together to bring him home safely.