James Broatch was 45 when he was last seen in Haleiwa on the North Shore of Oʻahu on January 31, 1994. He was reportedly surfing at a break known as Phantoms where waves were described as about 20 feet or higher and at some point failed to come out of the water.

His surfboard and a multicolored wetsuit were recovered, and his white 1977 Dodge van, Hawaii plate ETT 468, was found parked unattended at 59-014 Oopuola Street near the surf spot. An extensive search was conducted by the Honolulu Fire Department and Honolulu Ocean Safety. The Honolulu Police Department case number is 94-045007 and the case is listed in NamUs as MP124841.

No confirmed sighting of James after he entered the water is described in the public details. If anyone was on the North Shore that day or has information about his disappearance, please share what is known.