Tyler Wilkin, 35, was found dead with a single gunshot wound to the back of the head on Playa la Selva, a remote beach in northeastern Puerto Rico. His body was discovered shortly after 6am on July 10. Police suspect an execution-style killing at close range.
Wilkin, originally from Ohio, had been living in Puerto Rico since January 2024. His girlfriend, Iva Mo, dropped him off at the beach on July 8 for a two-day camping trip. During his stay, he sent unsettling messages about a man he called 'the howler,' who allegedly set off fireworks near his campsite and howled like a wolf.
Chilling Final Messages
'The howler is back!' he wrote to a friend on the night he was killed. His final message to his girlfriend arrived at around 2am. 'This guy is getting rowdy, LOL,' he texted. When Wilkin failed to send his usual early-morning 'Good morning, love' message, Mo became alarmed. A beachgoer found his body in the mangroves shortly after 6am.
Investigation and Family Response
Police have made no arrests. Mo believes the killing may have been during an attempted robbery. Friends and relatives have criticized the Puerto Rico police for lack of progress. A GoFundMe page has been set up to fund a private investigator to 'uncover answers and ensure that every possible avenue is explored.' Organizer Lilly Wright said, 'Tyler deserved a full life, and he deserves for every possible avenue to be explored.'
Wilkin is survived by his parents, older brother, twin sister and younger sisters. His family said: 'He lived life with enthusiasm and was never afraid to embrace the unexpected. He had a way of making life feel exciting and meaningful. His laughter was contagious, his smile was genuine, and his happiness was something he shared freely with everyone around him.'
