VIDEO UPDATE: Search for Billy Oliveira Continues, Missing Since July 13

[flashvideo file=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIzcCjgdVT8 /] By Wendy Osher

The search continues for William “Billy” Oliveira, who was last seen Monday July 13, 2015 in the Nāhiku area of East Maui.  Maui police say their search for Oliveira remains “active,” and at this point authorities do not suspect foul play, according to Lieutenant William Juan with the Maui Police Department’s Community Relations section.  Family members, meantime, are relying on the help of the Maui Search and Rescue organization to assist in an ongoing ground search of areas including the East Maui shoreline and Upcountry areas.

Billy’s cousin, Amy Yamada who has been assisting with the search said the MAR group conducted a foot search of the Nāhiku area from Thursday, July 16 to Sunday, July 19, 2015, but said they “came up empty.”

“They found no signs of him.  No footprints, no slip marks, no clothing, no nothing in the area.  As a family we’ve pretty much come to the conclusion that somebody had to have picked him up that night.  He didn’t drive.  He never drove.  He never learned how to drive.  He didn’t have his license, so in order for him to get out of the area, someone had to have picked him up that night,” said Yamada.

Family members say they have been in contact with Maui Police on any potential clues to what may have happened, but haven’t come across any solid leads.  The family has also been sharing updates via social media in the hopes that someone may recognize him.

The story was featured on television news last Friday, July 17th, “but being that there was no real update yet, they haven’t really said much more,” said Yamada.

Family members described Oliveira as a responsible person who was “particular about where he went and who he went with.”

“He’s never done this before,” said Yamada.  “He’s never gone and not at least called my grandma.  He lived with my grandma, and they kind of took care of each other.  It was kind of like he was there to watch over her… so when he did go, he would always tell her,” she said.  “For him to be gone this long with no phone call, no contact, that’s what’s worrisome for us,” said Yamada.

The night Oliveira went missing, car lights were reportedly seen coming up the driveway.  While it was initially assumed the vehicle belonged to a family member, that was quickly ruled out through checks with relatives and phone records, according to Yamada.

“We’re talking about doing just another sweep, maybe of the shoreline this weekend between Nāhiku and Huelo,” said Yamada.  The family is also looking into the possibility of using a boat to check the shoreline from the water.

“At this point we don’t know… We’ve honestly just been driving around,” said Yamada.  “We don’t know if he had a mental break down… is hiding… or… it’s just very hard for us to try and figure out where he is and why he hasn’t been in contact,” she said.

“We just want to know that he is okay.  Someone made the point that he is 39.  He’s an adult and may just not want to be found; but at the same time, we just want to know that he’s alive, and if it’s his choice that he wants to be away, then okay, but just to let – especially my grandma – know that he’s okay…  We’re worried and we miss him,” said Yamada.

Oliveira is described as 39-years-old, standing 5’11” tall, weighing 180 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.  Police say he was last seen wearing blue jeans, a black jacket, unknown color t-shirt, and running shoes. He has no distinguishing marks or tattoos.

If located the public is asked to contact the Maui Police Department non-emergency number at (808) 244-6400 or 9-1-1 if it is an emergency.  To get into contact with the Maui Search and Rescue organization to assist in the search, the public can contact the group via the Maui Search and Rescue Facebook page.

Billy Oliveira Search collage. Maui Now.

Billy Oliveira. Photo credit: Maui Police Department.

Billy Oliveira search. Photo courtesy: Amy Yamada.

Billy Oliveira search. Photo courtesy: Amy Yamada.

Billy Oliveira search. Photo courtesy: Amy Yamada.

Billy Oliveira search. Photo courtesy: Amy Yamada.

Billy Oliveira search. Photo courtesy: Amy Yamada.