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‘An army looking for you:’ Facebook, TikTok hubs of prayer, info in search for Tyler Doyle

By Adam Benson

Updated February 6, 2023 12:52 PM

Families and friends of missing boater Tyler Doyle have taken to social media since Jan. 26, 2023 to share their support and keep one another updated. Provided Provided

The search for Tyler Doyle

Read The Sun News’ coverage of the ongoing search for 23-year-old Tyler Doyle, who went missing after a small jon boat sank in the Little River area on the evening of Jan. 26, 2023.

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As crews continue a multi-state search along the Carolina coasts for 23-year-old Tyler Doyle, social media accounts have become sanctuaries for shared prayer and real-time updates.

Doyle was last seen on the evening of Jan. 26 when his jon boat began taking on water and sank close to Little River as he was duck hunting.

In the week since, Facebook and TikTok updates have kept thousands of people informed.

“I want to let everyone know how much it means to our family for each person who has helped us in any way during one of the most devastating times we have ever dealt with,” relative Sha Doyle Boyd wrote on her Facebook account Feb. 1.

Doyle’s wife, Lakelyn, has 39,000 followers on TikTok — an account filled with videos of the couple laughing, smiling and in one, Tyler on his knee proposing.

@lakelyndoyle #greenscreenvideo #greenscreen #fyp he’s all mine @tyler_doyle38 The Good Ones - Gabby Barrett

On Facebook, Lakelyn’s posts over the past week have gained thousands of likes and messages of support.

“We love you so much tyler!!! Come home,” she posted Feb. 1. In another, she took an image of Lauren Daigle’s “Rescue” playing inside a vehicle.

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe page set up Jan. 27 has raised more than $22,000 — surpassing its $15,000 goal.

Many who learned of Doyle’s disappearance said they were moved to pray for the young family, and friends continued to promise looking for him.

@madsmariee98 Please pray for Tyler, 23 year old went missing Thursday Jan 26th,2023 as his vessel started to sink. Family and friends have gone out searching for him up and down the waterway. Coast Guard, HCPD, HC Fire rescue, divers and more have spent hours searching for you. Your Wife, unborn child, family and friends need you here. You are strong, you can get through this. We wont give up till we find you and bring you home. Please pray for guidance in locating Tyler. Pray God keeps him safe and warm. Pray for this miracle to become reality for alot of us. #Tylerstrong #38 #rescue See You Again - Carrie Underwood

“Tyler is a good loving young man! I pray so hard today will be the day!! I pray he gets to see how loved he is, how our community has come together, how complete STRANGERS are devoted to finding him, how lakelyn didn’t give up, and most of all I hope he’s there when that baby is born and gets to experience that kind of love! hold on Tyler Doyle there’s a army looking for you,” Doyle’s friend, Nicole Rabon, posted Feb. 2.

This story was originally published February 2, 2023 at 11:30 AM.