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The family of 35-year-old Tyler Wilkin is mounting an aggressive investigation into his death following his discovery with a single gunshot wound to the back of his head on a Puerto Rico beach. Wilkin, originally from Ohio, was found dead on July 10 at Playa La Selva in Luquillo during what was supposed to be a camping excursion. He had relocated to Puerto Rico in 2024 with his girlfriend before his death.
To accelerate the investigation, Wilkin’s loved ones have launched a fundraiser to secure $30,000 for a private investigator to lead the probe. According to the fundraiser statement, the money will support all expenses related to the private investigation and ensure “every possible avenue to be explored” in the case.
Before his death, Wilkin texted friends describing unsettling noises near his campsite, including what he characterized as “howling” and sounds resembling “fireworks.” Jamie Copenhaver, a former sheriff’s investigator and current private investigator with experience in Puerto Rico cases, suggested the howling may have been deliberate. “If you’re camping and hear those noises in the middle of the night, you’re naturally going to grab a flashlight and investigate,” Copenhaver told Fox News Digital. “I think it’s possible someone intentionally lured him away from his campsite.”
Copenhaver expressed concern about the capacity of local law enforcement to handle the case, noting that Puerto Rico police agencies typically struggle with overwhelming caseloads compared to mainland U.S. departments. He recommended the family contact the FBI’s San Juan Field Office if they have not already done so.
The FBI San Juan Field Office confirmed it is providing technical assistance to the Puerto Rico Police Department but characterized the matter as an ongoing local investigation. The bureau urged the public to submit tips through its website, by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI, or contacting the San Juan office directly at 787-987-6500.
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