Tyler Doyle photos, name of friend released by SCDNR. Here’s what we know.
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources released 11 folders with dozens of files Thursday detailing their efforts and materials collected during their search of missing boater Tyler Doyle.
The files, which contain photos, reports and phone records reviewed during the investigation, were released as part of a Freedom of Information request by The Sun News.
In one of the files, the name of the friend with Doyle the evening he disappeared was revealed for the first time since Doyle went missing almost two months ago.
Christian Holden and Doyle were duck hunting Jan. 26, when Doyle dropped off Holden on the north jetty in Little River and then went to scout out ducks, according to the SCDNR.
Doyle had called Holden, 21, of Aynor, stating his jon boat was taking on water and sinking.
The SCDNR will continue searching for Doyle, using routine boat patrols and assistance from Brunswick County, N.C., officials and family and friends, department spokesman Greg Lucas said Tuesday by text. Lucas said there are “no plans to end (the search) that I have heard.”
A boating accident report from SCDNR attributes weather, hazardous waters, fault of machinery and fault of hull as contributing factors to the accident.
The report states Doyle told Holden to call the U.S. Coast Guard and Sea Tow. In addition, Doyle called a boat mechanic who advised Doyle on several things that may be able to fix the boat, which was swamped, the report said.
The boat began drifting backward out to sea.
Thursday’s files follow 911 tapes that were released earlier this month by Horry County officials. The four 911 calls align with what SCDNR officials have said previously about the investigation of the missing boater. The SCDNR has said that no foul play is suspected in the case of the 22-year-old, who is from Loris.
