David Hesterlee

• Missing Since 09/22/1974
• Missing From Bryan Beach, Texas
• Classification Lost/Injured Missing
• Sex Male
• Race White
• Age 17 years old
• Height and Weight Unknown
• Associated Vehicle(s) An older and battered pale yellow surfboard wioth an unclear design, one ding on the deck filled with purple wax, duct tape on the side of the board at the front and back, and two black fins.
• Distinguishing Characteristics White male.

Details of Disappearance

David was last seen surfing at Bryan Beach, Texas, near where the Brazos River empties into the Gulf of Mexico, on September 22, 1974. He is from Houston, Texas and he and some other Houston teenagers were camping in the area.

He and another boy, Mark Bachelder, went surfing at 6:00 a.m. with their surfboards tethered to their ankles. When they had not arrived back to shore by 11:00 p.m., the beach patrol was notified and a search began. David's surfboard is pale yellow in color with an unclear design. It was older and battered, with one ding on the deck filled with purple wax, duct tape on the side of the board at the front and back, and two black fins.

Mark and David were good friends. Neither of them were experienced surfers, and both swimming and surfing are prohibited in the place where they entered the water, due to safety reasons. Another boy who had planned to go surfing there that day changed his mind because the water was too cold.

In spite of an extensive search lasting several days, neither of the surfers or their boards were located. They are assumed to be lost at sea.