Tyler Wilkin, 35, was found dead on Playa La Selva in Puerto Rico on July 10 with a single gunshot wound to the back of his head. Puerto Rican police have declared the death a homicide but say they have no suspects. Wilkin’s girlfriend and family say he had texted about a "howling" and "rowdy" person near his campsite hours before he disappeared. Loved ones have launched a GoFundMe seeking $30,000 to hire a private investigator as they press for more answers.
Ohio Man Found Execution-Style on Puerto Rico Beach — Family Demands Answers, Launches GoFundMe
Tyler WilkinCredit: GoFundMe
Friends and family of 35-year-old Tyler Wilkin are pressing Puerto Rican authorities for answers after his body was found execution-style on a remote beach earlier this month. Wilkin, a Wilmington, Ohio, native who moved to Puerto Rico in 2024, was discovered on the morning of July 10 on Playa La Selva by a walker, local outlets reported.
What Officials Say
Puerto Rico police have described the death as a homicide and said Wilkin suffered a single gunshot wound to the back of the head. Authorities have not named any suspects and the investigation remains open, according to coverage by WKRC, WCPO and WXIX.
Family Concerns and Timeline
Wilkin’s girlfriend, Iva Mo, told reporters that he routinely messaged her each morning and regularly shared photos while camping. She grew alarmed when she did not receive his usual texts the morning his body was found. According to friends and local reports, Wilkin had exchanged messages during the trip about a disruptive camper nearby — describing a man who had been "howling" and making loud noises that sounded like fireworks. One message cited by WKRC read, "The howler is back!" and another, sent around 2 a.m., said the person was getting "rowdy, LOL." Those were the last communications his circle received.
Playa La SelvaCredit: Google Maps
"He wasn't just a victim of a homicide. He was the love of my life — my best friend. Tyler deserved to come home. And he deserves some answers — and our entire community deserves justice," Mo told WXIX.
Family Response: Private Investigation and Fundraising
Unconvinced that the official probe will uncover all leads, Wilkin’s family and friends have launched a GoFundMe campaign seeking $30,000 to hire a private investigator. The campaign states the funds will be used to "leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of the truth" and to cover expenses related to a private inquiry.
Ongoing Investigation
Local outlets reporting on the case include WKRC, WCPO and WXIX. Puerto Rico police continue to treat the death as an open homicide. Family members say they will continue to push for more transparency and additional investigative resources while supplementing the official inquiry with privately funded efforts.
Note: This article summarizes reporting from local news outlets and statements from Wilkin’s family. Authorities have not released information implicating any suspects publicly at this time.
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