Puerto Rico police name person of interest in Ohio man's murder as PI says he may have been lured: report
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has confirmed to Fox News Digital the agency is assisting in the investigation into the killing of Tyler Wilkin as local authorities reportedly have a person of interest in the case.
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The 35-year-old Ohio native was reportedly found shot "execution-style" with a gunshot wound to the back of his head while on a camping trip on Playa La Selva in Luquillo, Puerto Rico.
His body was found on July 10. Local outlet El Nuevo Dia reports police have a person of interest in Wilkin's case, on Thursday.
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In a statement sent to Fox News Digital a spokesperson for the FBI said:
"At this time, the SJFO is providing technical assistance to PRPD, but this case remains an ongoing local investigative matter. We will defer to PRPD for any statements or comments but encourage the local public to call in tips and information, through Tips.FBI.Gov , 1-800-CALL-FBI, or calling the SJFO at 787-987-6500."
SJFO is an abbreviation for San Juan Field Office, and PRPD is Puerto Rico Police Department.
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Wilkin was born and raised in Ohio, but moved to Puerto Rico in 2024 with his girlfriend.
A fundraiser has been started to raise $30,000 to hire a private investigator to take over Wilkin's case. A statement posted to the fundraiser said the "funds will help us [Wilkin's family and friends] cover any and all expenses that may arise during the private investigation. Tyler deserved a full life, and he deserves for every possible avenue to be explored."
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Luquillo, where Wilkin was found dead, is a city with a significant amount of unsolved violent crime, according to Jamie Copenhaver, a former sheriff's investigator and private investigator. He has investigated cases in Puerto Rico in his capacity as a law enforcement officer and as a PI.
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Wilkin reportedly sent text messages to his friends concerned about a "howling" noise and what sounded like "fireworks" outside his tent, FOX 19 reported.
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"The howling struck me as possible stalking behavior," Copenhaver told Fox News Digital. "If you're camping and hear those noises in the middle of the night, you're naturally going to grab a flashlight and investigate. I think it's possible someone intentionally lured him away from his campsite."
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He is concerned that investigative efforts of local police may lack essential training and resources required to take on this homicide case.
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"Unlike many police departments in the mainland U.S., agencies there are often overwhelmed by the number of violent crimes they're investigating. They're doing their best, but it's a tremendous workload," Copenhaver said.
Copenhaver said Wilkin's loved ones' decision to hire a private investigator just makes sense.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Puerto Rico Police Bureau.
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I am just an average American. My teen years were in the late 70s and I participated in all that that decade offered. Started working young, too young. Then I joined the Army before I graduated High School. I spent 25 years in, mostly in Infantry units. Since then I've worked in information technology positions all at small family owned companies. At this rate I'll never be a tech millionaire. When I was young I rode horses as much as I could. I do believe I should have been a cowboy. I'm getting in the saddle again by taking riding lessons and see where it goes.
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