A close friend of an Ohio man who was found shot dead while camping alone in Puerto Rico has revealed the chilling final messages he received before the 35-year-old was discovered in what police believe was an execution-style killing.
Keep reading to learn more.
Tyler Wilkin had relocated from southwest Ohio to Puerto Rico in 2024 to start a new chapter in his life. He had recently begun a relationship with girlfriend Iva Mo and was spending several days camping at Playa la Selva, a remote beach on the island.
According to authorities, Wilkin was found dead on July 10 after suffering a single gunshot wound to the back of the head. His body was discovered by an early-morning passerby, and police are treating the case as a homicide.
In the days leading up to his death, Wilkin had been sharing photos and videos of his trip with friends and family, showing off fish he had caught and cooked over the campfire. But amid the seemingly peaceful updates, he also mentioned a stranger whose behaviour had begun to worry him.
According to Mo, Wilkin told friends that a man nearby had been setting off fireworks and “howling like a wolf” around the campsite. At one point, he messaged, “The howler is back!”
Around two hours later, he sent what would become his final text.
“This guy is getting rowdy, LOL,” he reportedly wrote.
His loved ones never heard from him again.
Mo said Wilkin usually texted her every morning at around 6 a.m. with a simple “Good morning, love,” making his sudden silence immediately alarming.
One of Wilkin’s close friends, Charles Bucher, said he became increasingly concerned after learning police had been called to the beach where Tyler had been camping. Fearing the worst, he drove to the Luquillo police station, where his fears were confirmed.
Speaking to local media, Mo recalled the heartbreaking final exchange, saying Wilkin had seemed more amused than frightened by the strange man’s behaviour, making what happened next even harder to process.
Now, Wilkin’s family and friends are trying to uncover exactly what happened during his final hours. They have launched a GoFundMe campaign that has raised more than $23,000 to help fund a private investigation, saying they are frustrated by what they believe has been limited progress in the official case.
The case has also drawn attention from officials in Ohio. Wilkin’s father is a cousin of Ohio State Senator Shane Wilkin, who reportedly contacted Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson for assistance.
According to the senator, Wilson said Puerto Rican authorities “weren’t super helpful in any way, shape or form,” suggesting differences in investigative procedures may have complicated efforts to obtain information.
Police have not announced any arrests or identified a suspect, and the investigation into Wilkin’s death remains ongoing as his loved ones continue searching for answers.
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