In the autumn of 2006, William 'Willie' Dennis Eriksson, originally from Malibu, California, made a life-changing move to the Big Island of Hawaii. Having graduated from Santa Monica High School, the 42-year-old sought a new chapter, settling in Hilo. Known for his skills in carpentry and his love for surfing, he was familiar with both the Hilo and Kona areas of the island.
He kept in close contact with his family, particularly his mother, a fact that would later underscore the gravity of his sudden silence. He was of Swedish and Italian heritage and held Swedish citizenship. For a year, he built a life for himself, becoming a part of the local community.
The evening of November 7, 2007, was the last time anyone is known to have seen or heard from William Eriksson. He was at a general store in the Mountain View area of Puna when he was observed getting into a vehicle. Eriksson did not own a car and often depended on rides from others or public transportation to get around. A final call was made from his cell phone at 8:31 p.m. that night, and then, there was only silence. As the days turned into two full weeks without a word, concern grew into alarm. His family and friends, accustomed to his regular communication, knew something was wrong. William Eriksson was officially reported as a missing person on November 22, 2007.
The investigation into Eriksson's disappearance was launched, and from early on, authorities have not ruled out the possibility of foul play. Described as a Caucasian male, 5-foot-9 and weighing 165 pounds, with blue eyes and short, graying hair and a goatee, his image was circulated in hopes of generating leads. He has several distinct features, including a scar on his chest from an open-heart surgery he underwent as a child, a tattoo of a grim reaper on his right forearm, and another tattoo of a girl with a surfboard on the back of his left calf. Over the years, police have renewed their requests for any information from the public that might shed light on what happened to him. Despite these continued efforts, the case has grown cold, with no significant leads to guide investigators. The circumstances surrounding the evening he vanished remain a painful mystery, leaving his loved ones without answers and his whereabouts unknown.Last Seen: Nov 7, 2007
