23 year old Jeffrey Zoltowski was last seen in Molokai, Hawaii on March 31, 1993. He disappeared while hiking in the Wailau Valley.
Background
At the time of his disappearance, Jeffrey was living in Livonia, Michigan. In January of 1993 he set out on a four month hiking trip that began in Oahu, Hawaii. He planned to return home to Michigan on May 16, 1993.
While in Oahu, Jeffrey camped and worked on the island for 49 days. On March 21, 1993, he called his father and told him he’d been on Molokai for two weeks. According to his father, he sounded optimistic and upbeat.
Loved ones describe him as a generous and funny free spirit who was an experienced hiker who stayed in close contact with family.
Disappearance
At approximately 8:45 am on March 31, 1993, Jeffrey Zoltowski was last seen hiking in the Wailau Valley in Molokai, Hawaii.
When he reached the beach at the bottom of the valley trail, he flagged down a Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) helicopter, asking if he could be flown out of the valley. A state worker reported his condition didn’t seem life threatening, so they refused the flight out.
According to his sister, Jeffrey’s feet were “blistered and bleeding,” and he said he was too tired to make the 14 mile hike back. The DLNR men told Zoltowski he could get a charter plane for $650, but Jeffrey said he couldn’t afford it.
To help lighten his load, the DLNR men took Jeffrey’s sixty pound backpack and brought it back to the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources base yard. 41 days later his family received a call that his backpack had been sitting at the base unclaimed.
Investigation
Jeffrey only had a tent with him when he was last seen. He didn’t have a credit card or money with him.
Multiple searches for Jeffrey were conducted with the help of boats and helicopters, but no clues as to his whereabouts were found.
Jeffrey’s father hired his own private investigators, and appeared on Oprah and the Sally Jesse Raphael show, in hopes of turning up leads about his son’s disappearance. The family also created a Facebook group dedicated to finding him.
On July 28, 2001, Jeffrey was possibly sighted near a homeless shelter at Nimitz Highway and Sumner Street in Honolulu, Hawaii.
The woman who reported seeing the man resembling Jeffrey said he called himself Sam and would panhandle for money in traffic. She said his speech was slurred and he walked with a limp, indicating he may have suffered a severe injury in the past.
Authorities have been unable to track down the man to confirm his identity.
Jeffrey’s mother died in 2005, without ever knowing what happened to her son.
Appearance
White male with brown curly hair and brown eyes. Jeffrey stands about 6’0 tall and weighs 160 pounds. He has a small scar under his left eye, and a nickel sized birthmark on his outer right ankle bone.
Clothing & Accessories:
Jeffrey was last seen wearing white shorts and a purple tie dyed shirt.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Jeffrey Zoltowski please contact the Maui Police Department at (808) 244-6400, or the Michigan State Police – Brighton Post at (810) 227-1051.
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