EXCLUSIVE: Tyler Doyle’s mother, brother open up about his disappearance ahead of 1 year anniversary

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF) – For the first time since he disappeared nearly a year ago, the mother and brother of a missing boater are opening up about their loved one.

“It’s been a really hard year,” said Doyle’s mom, Michelle Whitlock. “I really want people to know the good, kind-hearted person he was and what a great big brother he was to Reed.”

His younger brother Reed Doyle said Tyler was the person he could always depend on, and he couldn’t have pictured a better brother.

“He’s the most genuine person, the best big brother you can ask for,” said Reed Doyle. “He always took care of me and has always been my person that I could talk to and go to about things and he’d understand and would always make me feel alright.”

Tyler Doyle disappeared on Jan. 26, 2023, when the Jon boat he was in started taking on water by the north jetties, where the Intracoastal Waterway meets the Atlantic Ocean in the Little River area.

Several agencies, including the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Horry County Fire Rescue and the Civil Air Patrol, spent weeks searching in the air, on the ground and in the water for Doyle.

At this point, the only items that have been found are Doyle’s waders and wallet, which were discovered on Jan. 31, 2023, in Oak Island.