The search for Tyler Doyle has agonized, captivated thousands. Here are 4 things to know

It’s been more than a week since Tyler Doyle disappeared while duck hunting near a Little River jetty, launching a multi-state search strengthened by volunteers.

The hunt for has agonized and captivated people who have taken to social media to send prayers, money, safety tips and geographical knowledge to reunite the young husband with his pregnant wife, Lakelyn.

Here are four things to know about Tyler Doyle.

1. He’s an avid duck hunter and race car driver

Known around local speedways as “The Loris Slayer,” Doyle’s No. 38 street stock car has become a symbol of his personality, with many on social media changing their profile pictures to the purple-and-white digits that appear on the side of his vehicle.

That includes the Lake View Motor Speedway in Nichols, which posted a photograph of Tyler smiling and holding his helmet. #38strong, #prayfortyler and #bringtylerhome have been adopted by many waiting for his return.

Many in the tight-knit racing community have joined in solidarity, dedicating races to Tyler or putting decals of his cars on theirs.

At the time of his disappearance, Doyle was participating in another activity he loved — duck hunting. The 2022-23 season ended Jan. 31, just a few days before Doyle’s jon boat reportedly took on water and sank near a jetty.

“SC duck hunter missing” was a trending Facebook term Feb. 3, with more than 2,500 people talking about it.

Doyle’s waders and several duck decoys recovered a few days after he went missing led volunteers to widen their search just over the state line in North Carolina.

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources spokesman Greg Lucas told The Sun News in a Feb. 3 email the agency has no plans to stop it search, which has involved use of air, land and water assets.

2. Prayer has been pivotal for many

Faith has been at the center for many involved in the search, with Bible passages and prayer chains populating many social media threads about Doyle.

“The Bible says to have friends you must first be a friend. And Tyler IS is a beautiful example of that!!!,” his aunt, Tina Edge, wrote in a Jan. 30 Facebook post.

Tyler’s wife, Lakelyn, has referenced Matthew 17:20 multiple times since the search began.

“For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”

Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in Loris added “Praying for Tyler Doyle” to its message board last week.

“To each member of Tyler’s family, our prayers are with you as we ask for comfort and strength for each moment until Tyler is found and comes home,” the church wrote.

Others who have only come to know the Doyles through Facebook said they have been inspired not only at the community’s determination to find him, but the love story between Tyler and Lakelyn, who were married in December 2021.

3. Charity drives and an online fundraiser have been ongoing

Hannah Faulk, a Doyle family friend, launched a GoFundMe campaign on Jan. 29, hoping to raise $15,000 that would go toward helping with daily expenses and preparing for a baby. Lakelyn and Tyler are expecting a baby girl.

As of Feb. 3, the account has raised nearly $29,000 from more than 600 donors.

Other relief efforts include a Feb. 11 chicken bog dinner at the Lake View Motor Speedway, with all proceeds going to Lakelyn.

Heather Allen, owner of Custom Southern Ink in Aynor, said Friday that she’s generated $850 from sales of a specialty T-shirt emblazoned with a duck hunter behind a sunset, with all revenues going to Lakelyn.

Orders are “coming in as fast as I can put them out,” Allen said. “I’m just a small company in Aynor, so I can’t give her thousands.”

Allen doesn’t know the Doyles but said with two small daughters of her own in a family that duck hunts, Lakelyn’s pain struck her.

“I couldn’t imagine what she’s going through, having to try to find her husband when she’s eight months pregnant,” she said.

4. Facebook and TikTok are filling with search updates

A Facebook group called “Help Find Tyler Doyle,” created on Jan. 31, has grown to nearly 50,000 members. Just on Feb. 3, people posted to the group nearly 800 times.

It’s become a repository for people following the operation from afar, as posts detailing search routes, weather conditions and any new developments get recirculated almost instantly.

Some members who live near the search have offered to rent or host volunteers at their homes, while others have posted links to webcams and internet mapping tools.