No foul play suspected in case of missing SC boater Tyler Doyle, SCDNR says

No foul play is suspected in the case of missing South Carolina boater Tyler Doyle, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources said in a release Monday afternoon.

Tyler Doyle, of Loris, went missing after duck hunting in a 16-foot jon boat with a friend at the Little River jetties around 4 p.m. on Jan. 26, according to the release.

A small-craft advisory was in effect that afternoon, meaning seas were rough and not conducive for smaller vessel operation, the department said.

“Tyler initially dropped the friend off on the north jetty and then moved away in the boat to scout and put out some duck decoys,” the release said. “They stayed in contact on the phone, although the friend said he lost sight of Tyler as he went around the south jetty. 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 Doyle’s friend and attempted to get to Doyle but had to return because of rough sea conditions, the release said.

According to SCDNR, a 911 call initiated a multi-agency search that included North Myrtle Beach Fire Rescue and the U.S. Coast Guard. An Horry County Fire Rescue boat was on scene within nine minutes of being dispatched. Doyle’s boat was found submerged with the bow up and motor down, with only a foot of the boat showing above water.

The water temperature was 50 degrees, and the air temperature was 39 degrees, the release said.

On Jan. 31, Doyle’s waders and wallet were found off the North Carolina coast.

SCDNR’s lead investigator for this case, Ronnie Floyd, confirmed that numerous calls were made by Doyle and his friend to 911, as well as family and friends seeking assistance, the release said.

According to the department, location data from Doyle’s Life360, a location-sharing app, which was provided to investigators by his family, corroborates the independent carrier location data obtained from Doyle’s phone carrier.

The department said that phone records, along with the data location information, witness interviews, a boat inspection and recovered items indicate this to be a boating/hunting accident, and no foul play is suspected.

The department added that rumors regarding pending criminal charges against Doyle are unfounded.

Weather conditions and boating mechanical issues are the predominant contributing factors, SCDNR said.

The department, alongside Brunswick County, N.C., Sheriff’s Office, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and nonprofit Wings of Hope continue to search.

“We mourn right alongside Tyler’s family and our officers have been with them throughout this process,” said SCDNR Investigator Ronnie Floyd in the release. “We want to bring them closure, and that’s why we are working every day to try and find him.”