Derek Anthony Windler, 38, of Crystal River, Florida, was last heard from on August 27, 2023. He spoke with his mother the night before and sounded fine; his last known texts were sent at about 3:30 a.m. on August 27 and to another person around the same time. His live-in girlfriend told the mother she and Windler had exchanged text messages during a five-hour argument that morning and then could not locate him.

Windler’s black 2005 GMC Sierra, Florida plate PIEE54, was seen by license plate readers on U.S. 19 heading south at about 3:30 a.m. and again at 6:45 a.m. The truck bed was empty at 3:30 a.m. but contained several items, including Windler’s dirt bike, by 6:45 a.m. A week later the vehicle was found abandoned near a homeless camp off Homosassa Trail in Homosassa. Most of his belongings were in the truck, but items missing included a dash camera, a laptop, a tent, a Bluetooth speaker, a large white claw umbrella, and his son’s blue minibike.

Windler had a history of methamphetamine abuse but reportedly completed treatment six years earlier and had been clean; family members believe he may have relapsed shortly before he went missing and his mother suspects foul play. The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office is investigating; the circumstances remain unsolved. Did anyone in the area see Derek or the truck on the morning of August 27, 2023?