Found Deceased IL- Tyler Graf, 31, Downs, 11 April 2020

[Inthedetails]

Curious - does your stay home order not include the ability to be out "hiking" or anything for activity? I'm not trying to be rude here, I just know across different states (and maybe even counties) it varies for what is allowed right now and what is not. I know locally, we are allowed and encouraged to be out on trails / walks / etc as long as we are social distancing and maintaining a good judgement. Regardless, it's a sad but true point - just stay home and this may never have happened.

I'm in a place in lockdown. We can go outside for exercise, with social distancing, either solo or with members of the household.

You're not supposed to visit friends' houses or go outside with them - just yourself or people you already live with.

I'm not sure of what the restrictions are where this man disappeared.

jmo

 

[SAMS]

So what exactly is this friend saying? Why were they there that time of day and how did they split up? Somethings fishy here. IMO MOO

 

[Luckyzmom]

Scarce on details, hope LE has more ! Pre Dawn hikes from his home to a friend's home via a trail that runs through town ? Wouldn't streets have been easier to navigate in the predawn darkness ? Not familiar with the area, but generally don't go through the woods in the dark of there's an alternative...MOO

 

[Cubby]

What concerns me most about this case is that he went from one friends home to another friends home..... and then ended up on a trail in a large wilderness type area. And that LE is searching for him in bodies of water.

I knew someone who did something similar, years ago. He tried contacting a friend, that friend missed his call. He then went on to do a lot of overnight walking and ended up taking his life.

This just doesn't make sense. Those friends know more about his possible mind set.

So many questions....

 

[Luckyzmom]

That's a sad scenario, am sorry for the loss of your friend. Hoping Tyler just got turned around in the dark and is off trail hunkered down. It's been a few days now , possible he walked away purposefully ? Wish someone close to him would join us here !
Family and friends must be distraught now. Prayers for all MOO @Cubby sorry couldn't post the quote

 

[Inthedetails]

Do we know what he did for a living? Was the job affected by Covid?

jmo

 

[Laughing]

Hinky Meter chiming....

Tyler, call your Mom, please!

JMHO YMMV LRR

 

[mlhenn]

Curious - does your stay home order not include the ability to be out "hiking" or anything for activity? I'm not trying to be rude here, I just know across different states (and maybe even counties) it varies for what is allowed right now and what is not. I know locally, we are allowed and encouraged to be out on trails / walks / etc as long as we are social distancing and maintaining a good judgement. Regardless, it's a sad but true point - just stay home and this may never have happened.

Here in Arkansas, there are only individual cities with curfews, and of course everyone is to practice social distancing, not be in groups of more than 10, etc.. As far as enjoying the outdoors, walking trails are open unless located in a state park (all AR state parks/national parks are closed) as well as most communities’ playgrounds & parks.

IMO, whether the park he was said to be in was open, I’m not sure why someone would be out there at that time.

 

[LauranUK]

The weather forecast for tonight/ tomorrow is not good. Cold with wintry mix and 1-3 inches of snow expected in the area he is missing in.

 

[Luckyzmom]

Praying for Tyler tonight, winter storm heading in. Please be safe somewhere.
There were 50 to 75 people searching Sat assuming they found nothing, dive teams sent in checking bodies of water Sun and Mon.
No sign after phone and flashlight Saturday morning....

 

[TatianaBarbie]

Here in Arkansas, there are only individual cities with curfews, and of course everyone is to practice social distancing, not be in groups of more than 10, etc.. As far as enjoying the outdoors, walking trails are open unless located in a state park (all AR state parks/national parks are closed) as well as most communities’ playgrounds & parks.

IMO, whether the park he was said to be in was open, I’m not sure why someone would be out there at that time.

I think they were using it as a "shortcut" between two residences. The area around the Kickapoo Creek in Downs, IL is not marked as an official "park," but perhaps it is just undeveloped land? I'm just guessing as to the official status of that area.

Here is a map of the area around Kickapoo Creek, within the Village of Down:

Google Maps

 

[mlhenn]

I think they were using it as a "shortcut" between two residences. The area around the Kickapoo Creek in Downs, IL is not marked as an official "park," but perhaps it is just undeveloped land? I'm just guessing as to the official status of that area.

Here is a map of the area around Kickapoo Creek, within the Village of Down:

View attachment 243351
Google Maps

Parks and Recreation
I was able to find this link that highlights parks within Downs. I’m with you on the idea that he was on a trail either within Downs or a trail in this smaller park (not Kickapoo State Park). MOO

KICKAPOO PARK, Downs, IL

 

[siliconrod]

The family immediately started a search. “We found his cell phone and his flashlight, but nothing else,” she said

I am curious if the phone and flashlight were they still operational and where were they found in relation to the trail. If they were operational that's a red flag for me. If they were working why would Tyler just leave them on the ground. If they were not working maybe Tyler wanted to leave them on the ground as clues to his location. The trial looks well marked with trees several feet away from trial so visibility should be ok even during early morning darkness.

 

[GraceG]

My question. Why were they out at 5 am - the missing person wearing day clothes when temps have been down in the 30's or lower at night in Illinois (I live here). Honestly, my gut is he wasn't in the woods and the phone and flashlight were staged.

 

[oviedo]

I just googled to see if there was an update - Family of missing Downs man continues their search

Family of missing Downs man continues their search
Posted on April 16, 2020

By HOI ABC

DOWNS – 31-year-old Tyler Graf went missing on Saturday April 11 and has not been seen since.

Graf’s mother, Pat Graf, told our news partner HOI ABC he was near Kickapoo Park in Downs where him and a friend were walking on a trail. His mother says some how the two became separated in the timber. She added they believe something must have happened to him because his disappearance does not make sense.

“He would have just never disappeared on his own and that’s the part that hurts us so bad. Tyler would have done anything in the world for anybody and he needs to be found,” Pat said.

Search and rescue teams were in Downs on Saturday, and the Hudson Dive team was there on Sunday and Monday, but no one has found any trace of Graf. Pat Graf says her son missing seems like a nightmare that she cannot wake up from.
--------------
no leads...

 

[Cubby]

I am curious if the phone and flashlight were they still operational and where were they found in relation to the trail. If they were operational that's a red flag for me. If they were working why would Tyler just leave them on the ground. If they were not working maybe Tyler wanted to leave them on the ground as clues to his location. The trial looks well marked with trees several feet away from trial so visibility should be ok even during early morning darkness.

Visibility before sunrise would really depends on city light. I'm close enough to Chicago that it never really gets that dark. Rural areas away from City lights are a much different story. It can get pretty dark even on a clear path.

The area near where Tyler went missing is home to several fairly large universities. With all state schools closed and campuses closed there is no reason to keep everything lit up, so it may have been very dark where Tyler was walking.

 

[Cubby]

I wish we knew if he was intoxicated or not.

What did the friend do when they got separated? Did he alert anyone immediately or just think Tyler ditched him so to speak.

I'd also like to know if the flashlight and cell phone appeared to be set down or were they dropped? How far were they found from the nearest body of water?

 

[Spartygirl]

Hmmm friends became separated ? We shall see

My first thought also

 

[Inthedetails]

My first thought also

Hinky meter has been clicking away from the start.

jmo

 

[Spartygirl]

Hinky meter has been clicking away from the start.

jmo

Mine too.
I am curious as to what he or "they" were doing prior to going out walking.
Were they partying ??
Did they have something planned for the day that would warrant getting up early to get started or were they still up partying from the night before??
Do we know if the "friend" has spoken anything about it??

*Sigh* So many questions