Friend remembers Tyler Doyle, boater who went missing 1 year ago

CAPE FEAR RIVER BASIN, NC (WWAY) — It’s been one year since the disappearance of a North Myrtle Beach boater attracted national attention. 

On Friday we caught up with Aiden Thomas. He was a friend of Tyler Doyle. 

The search for Doyle began in response to a boating distress call on January 26, 2023 off the Little River coast.  

A multi-agency search and rescue effort eventually involved crews in both South Carolina and North Carolina. 

Thomas remembered the first time he met Doyle. 

“He walked up to my driver door, opened it up, and tried to grab my inner thigh and squeeze it. Like he knew me since we were kids. But that’s how we initially met,” Thomas said. “He was the protector of our group. He always tried to make sure everyone was ok and have everyone’s back.” 

Thomas said he, another friend, and Doyle’s brother are visiting the last place Doyle was seen on Friday to honor him and look back on the times they shared together.