In early February 2022, 37-year-old Joseph 'Joey' Wyatt, a resident of Maui, embarked on what was meant to be a short camping trip with his dog, Mana. He was last seen at his residence in Honokōwai on the evening of Thursday, February 3, 2022. Friends and family describe an inseparable bond between Joey and Mana, making the events that followed particularly distressing.
That night, he sent a text to his best friend stating he and Mana were going camping and also sent a photo from Honolua Bay. He attempted to call the same friend later that evening, but the call went unanswered and no voicemail was left. This was the last known contact anyone had with Joseph Wyatt. When two days passed with no word, his girlfriend reported him missing on Saturday, February 5, beginning a desperate search for answers.
The search for Joseph Wyatt began, and soon, unsettling discoveries were made at Nākālele Point, a scenic but notoriously dangerous area with a powerful blowhole. Authorities located Wyatt's car, parked and unattended. Inside the vehicle were his car keys and passport. A day after he was last seen, his cherished dog, Mana, was found wandering alone in the vicinity of the car, but was physically unharmed. To his best friend, the fact that Mana was found without Joey was the most frightening part, as he believed the loyal dog would never have left his side willingly. An extensive search was launched by the Maui Police Department, the Maui Fire Department, and the U.S. Coast Guard, who scoured the area for any sign of the missing man. Despite these official efforts and the help of volunteers, all attempts to locate him were unsuccessful. After a 72-hour search period, the official search was suspended, though his family and friends pledged to continue their own efforts, holding on to hope.
The disappearance of Joseph Wyatt remains a painful mystery for his loved ones and the Maui community. At the time he went missing, he was described as being 5'8' tall, weighing 165 pounds, with blonde hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing beige shorts, a blue shirt, and brown Olukai slippers. While authorities have stated that foul play was not initially suspected, the circumstances surrounding his vanishing are perplexing. The discovery of his car and his beloved dog without him at a treacherous coastal location has left a void of information, leaving his family to grapple with profound uncertainty. An overview of this case is that a man who loved the outdoors and was an adventurous hiker vanished during a routine camping trip. The discovery of his abandoned car and his lone dog near a dangerous blowhole suggests a possible tragic accident, but without any definitive evidence, the exact circumstances of what happened to Joseph Wyatt are unknown, leaving a heartbreaking and unresolved situation for all who know and love him.Last Seen: Feb 3, 2022
