The U.S. Navy has suspended its search for Gabriel D. Holt, a sailor assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), who was reported missing during a port visit in Guam last week.
The decision to pause the search and rescue operation was made Thursday morning, April 25, at 9 a.m., following several days of coordinated efforts by military and local agencies.
“The Sailor’s family has been notified,” the Navy confirmed in an official press release.
Holt has now been classified as “duty status whereabouts unknown,” a designation used when a service member’s whereabouts are not immediately known but there is no conclusive evidence of death.
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Holt, who was last seen at 11:57 p.m. on April 18 at Naval Base Guam, was on liberty during a scheduled port visit.
According to the Guam Police Department, he was wearing a white tank top, green shorts, and gray shoes at the time of his disappearance.
He is described as being six feet tall, weighing 192 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.
The extensive search effort spanned six days and included contributions from several branches of the U.S. military and local emergency responders.
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Assets deployed in the operation included Navy Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25, P-8 Poseidon aircraft from Commander Task Force 72, Coast Guard Cutter Oliver Henry, Station Apra Harbor’s 45-foot Response Boat-Mediums, and Guam Fire Rescue teams.
Together, the vessels and aircraft covered approximately 11,000 square nautical miles and logged more than 120 hours of active search time.
Despite the exhaustive efforts, no signs of Holt were found.
“We are deeply grateful for the efforts of all involved, including the Guam Fire Department, the Guam Police Department, the Navy, and our Coast Guard crews,” said Sara Muir, spokesperson for U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia.
“We remain ready to act on new leads and will continue supporting our Navy partners and the sailor’s family. Our thoughts are with those affected by his disappearance.”
The pause in the search does not signify the end of efforts to locate Holt.
Both the Navy and Coast Guard emphasized that they remain on alert for any new information that could assist in determining his whereabouts.
In the meantime, the case remains open.
Anyone with information that may help in locating Gabriel D. Holt is urged to contact local authorities.
The public is asked to call 911 or reach out directly to the Guam Police Department’s Tumon Precinct Command at (671) 649-6330.
As the Navy community, local residents, and Holt’s loved ones await answers, his disappearance has cast a shadow over what was to be a routine port call in Guam.
The Navy has not released further details about Holt’s assignment or personal background but affirmed that support services are being offered to his fellow sailors and family members during this difficult time.
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