THE aunt of a missing 22-year-old is speaking out about her frustration with the investigation to find him, as the case approaches the one-year mark, and sightings have been reported.
Tyler Doyle disappeared during a boating accident in Little River Inlet, about 25 miles from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on January 26, 2022.
Doyle was duck hunting with a friend when the motor of his 16-foot-johnboat went out in the afternoon.
Authorities said there were rough seas that day, which led to a small-craft advisory warning boaters about dangerous conditions.
In a statement released on February 13, SCDNR revealed that Tyler dropped off his friend at a jetty to scout and put out some duck decoys just before he vanished.
The statement said: "They stayed in contact on the phone, although the friend said he lost sight of Tyler as he went around the south jetty.
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"Shortly afterwards Tyler called his friend stating the boat was having mechanical issues and he couldn’t keep the motor running and the boat was taking on water.
"Another boat was flagged down by Tyler’s friend and attempted to get to Tyler but had to return because of rough sea conditions."
The boat was eventually found submerged with the bow up and motor down.
Approximately one foot of the boat remained above the water when it was located.
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Tyler's wife Lakelyn Doyle gave birth to their daughter, Paisley, three months after he went missing.
Authorities have dubbed the case a boating accident and said no foul play is indicated.
However, his family said they want his cause of death confirmed and not assumed.
In the year that the 22-year-old hunter has been missing, his family has criticized DNR for the way they've handled the case.
His aunt Shay Boyd has revealed to the Post and Courier that she called the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, who is the lead investigator on the case, demanding more resources be allocated.
"I’ll be honest — I raised hell,” Boyd said.
“I didn’t think it was ever going to happen.”
A DNR attorney returned her call and confirmed that SLED is investigating.
“I feel like a huge weight has just been lifted off my shoulders,” said Boyd.
A SLED spokesman has confirmed to The U.S. Sun that they were recently brought in to work on the case.
"SLED was requested by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) on November 7, 2023, to assist in the investigation of Tyler Doyle, a missing boater," a spokesman said on Thursday.
"Any further questions should be directed to SCDNR at this time, as that agency is leading the investigation," the spokesman added.
A spokesman for the SCDNR confirmed to The U.S. Sun on Thursday that there have been sightings of Doyle reported to them and confirmed that SCDNR continues to be the lead investigating agency on the boating incident.
"We have received various tips from the public about possible sightings of Tyler," the spokesman said.
"To make sure all resources are being allocated, we asked SLED to review the file and assist with missing person inquiries."
His father, Brian Doyle, told local CBS affiliate WBTW-TV back in August that he wants to find out the truth, as there have been numerous rumors circulating since he vanished.
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"Your worst fear. It’s the worst fear that any parent that cares about their children could ever have,” Brian told the outlet, adding that he has not heard from the person who was on the boat with Tyler the day he went missing.
Anyone with relevant information on Doyle’s disappearance is encouraged to contact SLED at .
