A 35-year-old man from Ohio was found dead from a gunshot wound to the head in Puerto Rico on July 10, shortly after he texted friends about hearing an unusual "howling" sound near his campsite.
Tyler Wilkin, originally from Wilmington, Ohio, was discovered in Playa La Selva, near Luquillo, on the island's northern coast. Local police have not yet identified any suspects. His girlfriend, Iva Mo, told reporters that Wilkin had sent a message to a friend on the night of July 9 stating he could hear a man "howling" for the second consecutive night, along with sounds resembling fireworks.
In the early hours of July 10, Wilkin sent another text to the same friend shortly before 2 a.m. saying, "The howler is back," and added, "oh, this guy is getting rowdy lol." He was found dead hours later, approximately five minutes from his campsite.
Wilkin had moved to Puerto Rico in January 2024 and had become an active member of the local community. He was described as an outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, swimming, hiking, and camping. According to Mo, Wilkin had recently organized a group camping trip to Playa la Selva, a location he had visited before and felt safe at.
Mo dropped Wilkin off at the campsite on July 8 to reserve a spot for the upcoming weekend. He was equipped with camping gear, including a pocketknife and a machete. This was their last interaction.
Wilkin's family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to fund a private investigator to help uncover details surrounding his death. The campaign has raised over $25,400 towards a $30,000 goal. The family stated on the fundraising page that they are determined to "seek the truth and ensure that Tyler receives the justice he deserves" and hope the investigator will "help uncover answers and ensure that every possible avenue is explored."