A photo shared by a teenager who disappeared during a hike could hold important clues regarding his fate.
On February 27, 2015, 18-year-old Daylenn Pua set out for a hike on the renowned Haสปikลซ Stairs in Hawaii, famously known as the “Stairway to Heaven.”
Daylenn was visiting his grandmother when he chose to embark on the hike, but he has not been seen since he set out.
The Haสปikลซ Stairs were built during World War II to allow access to a former communication station on Oสปahu Island in Hawaii.
With a total of 3,922 steps, Daylenn had been sharing photos of his trek with his grandmother, despite her warnings against going on the hike.
However, the photos eventually ceased, and the 18-year-old has not been seen since.
Extensive search efforts were initiated in an attempt to locate the teenager or at least recover his remains, but he has yet to be found and has been missing for over nine years.
One photo, in particular, raised concerns because it featured a mysterious figure crouching in the background.
This figure became known as the “shadow man,” although its true nature remains uncertain. It appears to be a crouching figure, but its exact identity is unclear.
This unusual figure appears in one of the final photos Daylenn sent, leading to speculation that if it is indeed a person, they could have been the last to see the teenager alive.
Of course, the figure may be completely unrelated to his disappearance, and the 18-year-old could have fallen victim to the risks and dangers of hiking alone on a treacherous trail.
In 2021, a decision was made to dismantle the Haสปikลซ Stairs, and earlier this year, work began to take them down.
Accessing the stairs is now considered trespassing and is illegal. While the public was once permitted to climb them, their appearance in an episode of Magnum P.I. significantly increased their popularity, leading to an overwhelming number of visitors.
Several individuals have been arrested for attempting to climb the stairs, with CNN reporting that 14 people were apprehended in the past couple of months.
As the steps are being demolished, the climb has become increasingly perilous, and the location poses challenges for emergency services trying to reach those in distress. Jason Redulla, chief of Hawaiiโs Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement, stated that it is “incredibly disrespectful and self-centered” for anyone to attempt to ascend the stairs.
