LIHU‘E — A missing-persons report filed in Nebraska has identified Kaua‘i as a probable location for Samuel Martinez, 23, of Lincoln, Nebraska, who last had contact with his family May 12 after arriving on the island.
LIHU‘E — A missing-persons report filed in Nebraska has identified Kaua‘i as a probable location for Samuel Martinez, 23, of Lincoln, Nebraska, who last had contact with his family May 12 after arriving on the island.
Martinez is 6 feet tall and weighs approximately 180 pounds. He is white with brown hair and green eyes.
After arriving on Kaua‘i, Martinez received a ride to the grocery store on the Westside from the airport from an unknown party, his father said.
The Kaua‘i Police Department was notified of the missing man.
Martinez, a senior at the University of Nebraska, was reportedly on his way to Koke‘e to hike and camp. Throughout his two-week-long trip, Martinez planned to camp around the island. He did not board his return flight on May 25, his father said Friday.
“Nebraska police made contact with Kaua‘i police on Thursday, whereby a statement was obtained regarding a missing-person investigation for Samuel Martinez that was initiated in Nebraska,” a KPD spokesperson said Friday. “That same day, an officer from KPD attempted to make contact with Martinez via his cell phone, but was unsuccessful.” Multiple attempts to contact Martinez have also been unsuccessful. The investigation is ongoing.
“If the people who were so kind to give Samuel a ride to the grocery store (would) please reach out,” his father Ted Martinez said, they may be able to shed some light on where the young man may have been heading.
Anyone with information about Martinez’s whereabouts is urged to call KPD at 241-1711. Those who wish to remain anonymous can report a tip to Crime Stoppers Kaua‘i at 246-8300 or cskauai.org.
