Nicholas Howard Buttle, 55, of Malibu, California, was last seen December 7, 2001. He and a friend, Eric Hammer, launched from Corral Beach in a two-person kayak to reach a yacht about 600 yards offshore. Strong winds and rough conditions developed during their return. Buttle was knocked out of the kayak near Dan Blocker County Beach and was never seen again.

Hammer was rescued later that evening about three miles from shore with hypothermia; the kayak and paddles were recovered. Aerial and marine searches continued through December 8, 2001, and Buttle is presumed to have drowned, but his body has never been found and the case remains an open missing person file.

If anyone witnessed the pair that day or has information about Buttle’s whereabouts, please share what is known.