AN American camper who was murdered execution-style in Puerto Rico allegedly sent a chilling text warning that “the howler is back” just hours before his body was discovered.
Tyler Wilkin, 35, was found with a single gunshot wound to the back of his head near a remote beach after what friends believed would be a routine camping trip.
Wilkin’s body was discovered in mangroves near Playa La Selva in the north-eastern town of Luquillo at around 6am on July 10, reportedly just five minutes from his campsite.
Local police believe he was shot at close range in an execution-style killing and, according to local outlet Tele 11, no arrests have been made as the investigation remains open.
The Ohio native had moved to Puerto Rico in January 2024 and was known for his love of the outdoors, with friends saying he regularly went hiking, fishing, swimming and camping.
According to his girlfriend , Iva Mo, she dropped Wilkin off at the secluded campsite on July 8 so he could reserve it ahead of a weekend trip with friends.
He was carrying camping gear, including a pocketknife and a machete, and had reportedly camped there before without any problems.
But during his stay, Wilkin began sending unsettling messages about a mysterious man he nicknamed “the howler”.
Mo said he first told friends he could hear howling outside his tent alongside what sounded like fireworks.
The following night, the messages became even more alarming.
“He had messaged that same friend and said, ‘The howler is back.’ And then he messaged two hours later, ‘Oh, this guy is getting rowdy lol,’” Mo said.
That final message was sent shortly before 2am.
Hours later, Wilkin’s body was found by a beachgoer taking an early morning walk, WKRC reported.
Mo said she immediately sensed something was wrong when her boyfriend failed to send his usual morning text.
“Like six in the morning he consistently, always, texts me, ‘Good morning, love.’ And I didn’t get a text message from him,” she said.
Police have not named any suspects and have released few details about the investigation, Telemundo Puerto Rico reported.
Mo believes her boyfriend may have been killed during an attempted robbery, although authorities have not confirmed a motive.
“To have his entire future just taken away like that in just a split second for what? Like over a wallet or over, I don’t know, for whatever reason, like, it’s just really hard to accept,” she said.
The devastated girlfriend also pleaded for justice.
“He wasn’t just a victim of a homicide,” Mo said.
“He was the love of my life. My best friend. Tyler deserved to come home. And he deserves some answers and our entire community deserves justice.”
Friends and family say they have received little information from investigators and are now raising money to hire a private investigator.
A GoFundMe set up in Wilkin’s memory says: “We lost Tyler far too soon, and the grief left behind is impossible to put into words. As his family and friends continue to navigate this heartbreaking loss, we are determined to do everything we can to seek the truth and ensure that Tyler receives the justice he deserves.”
Organizer Lilly Wright added: “Tyler deserved a full life, and he deserves for every possible avenue to be explored.”
Wilkin, originally from Wilmington, Ohio, is survived by his parents, an older brother, a twin sister and younger sisters.
His family said in an obituary: “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.”
