Louis Robert Piatt, 66, was last seen December 29, 2011, after launching a solo kayak trip from Malibu Pier. That afternoon he placed a 911 call reporting chest pains and heavy breathing while on the water; the call ended abruptly and no exact location was given. Rescuers found his overturned kayak and a life vest near the pier and his vehicle parked nearby, but Piatt himself was never located despite a 23-hour search covering 110 square miles.

Witnesses described a large motorboat speeding away from the area just before rescuers arrived, a detail investigators say is significant. Some have speculated about staged disappearance or foul play, but Piatt’s family rejected the idea he faked his death, noting his close relationship with his teenage sons and no prior indicators. Piatt, a real estate executive and former Marine, remains missing and the investigation continues; anyone who saw the motorboat or has information about that afternoon is asked to come forward.