Donald DJ Hamaker, 43, went missing after a solo fishing trip to a strip-mining pit known locally as the A hole in Girardville, Pennsylvania. He was dropped off with two friends around 3:00 a.m. on May 28, 2024, and told his mother he would be back by lunchtime. His kayak was later found capsized in the water; his fishing poles remained tied to the kayak and his bait was left on shore. One companion was found asleep on the shore, and friends contacted Hamaker’s mother about the overturned kayak around 2:00 p.m. A 911 call was not placed until 2:16 p.m.

Dive teams from across northeastern Pennsylvania searched the murky pit for days but found no sign of Hamaker. The official search was ended after nearly three weeks; the Pennsylvania State Police continue to investigate. Family members have raised questions about the delay in alerting authorities and the state of Hamaker’s gear.

If anyone was at the A hole on the morning of May 28, 2024, or has information about Hamaker’s movements that day, please come forward.