In the autumn of 2016, a man named Joshua Goodwin, originally from Ashland, Oregon, was embarking on a new chapter in his life. Just a month prior to the incident that would lead to his disappearance, he had relocated to the beautiful island of Hawaii for a new job. At 41 years old, Joshua was described as a tall man, standing at 6 feet 2 inches and weighing around 240 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
His new life in Hawaii seemed full of promise, set against the idyllic backdrop of the Pacific, but this promising new start was to be tragically short-lived.
On October 13, 2016, in the scenic area of Hana on the island of Maui, Joshua had plans to go free diving with a friend. He was last seen on the shore near mile marker 41 in Kīpahulu, wearing a blue shirt. The plan was for him to swim approximately 200 yards out to sea to meet his waiting friend. However, Joshua never made it to the designated meeting spot and his friend, after waiting in vain, raised the alarm. His failure to return from the water marked the beginning of a desperate search and a heart-wrenching mystery for his loved ones.
The response to Joshua's disappearance was swift and comprehensive. The Maui Police Department, alongside the Maui Fire Department and the U.S. Coast Guard, launched an extensive search operation. The effort included air assets, with an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter scouring the coastline from above, and the crew of the USCGC Kittiwake searching the waters. Divers from the local fire and police departments were also deployed to search beneath the surface. An Urgent Marine Information Broadcast was sent out, alerting all mariners in the vicinity to be on the lookout for any sign of the missing diver. Despite these exhaustive efforts, no trace of Joshua Goodwin was ever found. The search yielded no clues as to his whereabouts or what might have happened to him in the waters off Hana. The weather conditions at the time were reported to have 17 mph winds with waves at six feet. The case of Joshua Goodwin is a somber reminder of how quickly a day of recreation can turn into a lasting tragedy. He had moved to a new state for a job, only to vanish a month later while engaging in a water activity. Although an extensive search was conducted by multiple agencies, it found no sign of him. Today, Joshua Goodwin is presumed to be deceased, but his body has never been recovered, leaving his case unresolved and his loved ones without closure.Last Seen: Oct 13, 2016
