Most of you know Oneil Patrick Carroll McGean. As owner/operator of Café Playa Sur, he is always ready with a smile and a hug. He includes so many of us in his wonderful parties, whether fireworks viewing or piñata busting. He has lived here in Mazatlán full time for 10 years, and still manages the Old Mazatlán Condominiums. He is a quintessential bridge-builder, with as many local as international friends.

Oneil’s a great guy. Last winter, when a local public school was vandalized, he worked tirelessly to raise money to repaint and buy new computers. Oneil’s the kind of person that’s there when you need something; he’s just good people.

Tuesday night, Oneil went missing. We know where he was headed—to meet a new acquaintance at Hotel Punta Pacífico, at the entrance to the Delfín area. Friends watched him leave. After that, we don’t know. It is heartbreaking.

Thanks to local connections, friends, and officials, we have moved mountains today and gotten the wheels in motion to find him. Obviously the longer the delay, the more fear we have. His brother will join us from Hawai’i tomorrow.

We are quite confident Oneil has met misfortune. He loves his dogs dearly, and has left them unattended. He would never do that in a million years. Thankfully, his friend Jorge has stepped in to make sure the dogs are well taken care of, and to spend two days without sleep mobilizing a search effort and investigation. No one could ask for a better friend. Janet Blaser has also been a huge help. I so admire her clear thinking in times of trauma. And her connections.

The local, state and US American authorities have been alerted that Oneil is missing under suspicious circumstances. I contacted Mayor Felton this evening, and he spoke with Governor Malova, who tomorrow will send a specialized group of personnel here to Mazatlán to search for Oneil. A small group of close friends are working with the family, US American consulate, local authorities, and police to try and expedite and help as much as possible.

Please, help to spread the word of his story. Use any connections you have to get everyone informed and helping with this. And help us hold him up in prayer or meditation for a safe return.

Please do NOT spread sensationalistic nonsense—this is most probably not narco or gang violence. We hold hope that Oneil will show up soon, perhaps with fewer pesos, and not too badly beaten.

We love you, my dear friend.