The unresolved disappearance of 37-year-old Sean Michael Hinz continues to haunt his family and the Miami community. Hinz has been missing since October 8, 2023, when he was last seen on surveillance footage walking past the American Airlines Arena (now Kaseya Center) and toward Maurice Ferré Park in the early hours of the morning, according to CBS News Miami.
Efforts to find Hinz hit a cruel setback when his parents were targeted by a scammer, Vicki and Michael Hinz described how they received text messages from an unknown number claiming to know the fate of their son, with the scammer alleging Sean had been hit by a car and warning the family not to contact police; the Miami Police later identified these communications as a scam, reminding the public to be wary of such hoaxes and to report any unsolicited messages relating to missing persons cases, "The most crushing part is the possibility that he is creating this scenario. It's a likely scenario. That's what's odd and scary about it," Vicki expressed her desolation in her ordeals, as per CBS News Miami.
Meanwhile, the Miami Police Department continues to search for Hinz, who is described as a 36-year-old man standing 6 feet, 1 inch tall, weighing approximately 200 pounds, and dressed in a dark green University of Miami shirt with black basketball shorts when he vanished, they have urged the public to assist with any information regarding Sean's disappearance, "We continue to follow several leads, however help from the community with any information about Sean would be, not only helpful, but could be vital in helping the city solve this case," said a Miami Police detective in an interview, as shared by Hoodline.
Despite the painful hoax the Hinz family remains hopeful, drawing on their son's impact on others "Heartwarming and rewarding parts, if there are any, in this, are listening to his friends talk about what he did for them and how he changed their lives," Vicki shared her mixed emotions in the heartbreak, and Michael, firm in his belief that more witnesses may be out there, stated to CBS News Miami, "Watching the videos of him walking. He's far from the only one on the street. Somebody saw something." The Hinz family holds onto the possibility of closure, continuing their plea for anyone with knowledge to come forward, "We just want closure. We just would love to know. Need to know. Pray to know what happened that night. Pray that at some point, they'll come forward," Vicki voiced her plea for answers.
