Tyler Doyle: The Tragic Story of a Missing Duck Hunter

May 2024 · 4 minute read

Tyler Doyle was a 22-year-old man from Loris, South Carolina, who loved hunting, fishing and spending time with his family. He was married to Lakelyn Doyle, who was pregnant with their first child when he went missing. On January 26, 2023, Tyler went out on a duck hunting trip on a jon boat near the North Jetties, where the Intracoastal Waterway meets the Atlantic Ocean. He never returned.

What Happened to Tyler Doyle?

According to WBTW, Tyler’s father, Brian Doyle, said that his son left around 2 p.m. on that fateful day. He was supposed to be back by 6 p.m., but he did not answer his phone or show up at the boat ramp. Brian said he tried to call him several times, but there was no signal. He then contacted the authorities and reported him missing.

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) launched a search and rescue operation, involving multiple agencies and volunteers. They found some of Tyler’s belongings, such as his duck decoys, waders and wallet, about two miles offshore on January 31. However, they did not find any trace of his body or his boat.

The SCDNR said that the water and weather conditions were very rough on the day Tyler went missing. The water temperature was 39 degrees Fahrenheit and the air temperature was 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The waves were up to six feet high and the wind was blowing at 25 knots. The SCDNR said that Tyler’s boat was not equipped for such conditions and that he was not wearing a life jacket.

How Did Tyler’s Family Cope with His Disappearance?

Tyler’s family and friends were devastated by his disappearance. They held prayer vigils, fundraisers and awareness campaigns to keep his memory alive and to support his wife and unborn child. They also created a Facebook page called “Tyler Strong” to share updates and messages of hope.

Tyler’s wife, Lakelyn, gave birth to their daughter in April 2023. She named her Paisley Grace, which was the name they had chosen before Tyler went missing. She posted a photo of her baby girl on Facebook, saying that she looked just like her daddy.

Tyler’s father, Brian, spoke to the media for the first time in August 2023. He said that he still had hope that his son would be found alive, but he also accepted the possibility that he might be gone forever. He said that he was proud of his son and that he missed him every day.

Was There Any Foul Play Involved in Tyler’s Disappearance?

Some people speculated that Tyler’s disappearance might have been intentional or related to some criminal activity. They pointed out that Tyler had a past charge of attempted murder in 2020, along with his father. However, according to Yahoo News, the case never went anywhere because the victims never made a court appearance. The charges were dismissed and expunged.

The SCDNR investigated every aspect of Tyler’s life, including his criminal record, his social media posts, his phone records and his bank accounts. They also interviewed his family, friends and acquaintances. They did not find any evidence of foul play or any motive for him to disappear.

The SCDNR concluded that Tyler’s disappearance was most likely a tragic accident caused by bad weather and poor judgment. They said that they would continue to look for him whenever they were on routine patrol, but they did not have any active leads or clues.

Conclusion

Tyler Doyle was a young man who loved hunting and had a bright future ahead of him. He went missing while duck hunting on a jon boat in January 2023 and has not been seen since then. His family and friends have been grieving and hoping for his safe return. His wife gave birth to their daughter in April 2023 and named her after him. The authorities have ruled out any foul play and believe that he drowned in a boating accident. His case remains unsolved and he is still listed as missing on the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs).

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