Missing Since: 2008-08-14 Location: Galveston, Texas
Piela was last seen on the ship BBC Ecuador, which was anchored in the port of Galveston Bay in Galveston, Texas, on August 14, 2008. He asked for permission to go ashore, and was refused. He then jumped overboard. The ship was about 70 yards from shore at the time. Although the detective who investigated the case after Piela jumped thought it was a suicide, Piela’s family stated he had no history of suicidal behavior and was an excellent swimmer. His mother traveled to the United States twice to look for leads in her son’s disappearance, but he has never been located. He is a graduate of the Maritime Institute of Technology in Szczecin, Poland. Investigating Agency Port of Galveston Police Department 409-766-6169 Source Information Click 2 Houston Updated 1 time since October 12, 2004. Last updated May 1, 2024; casefile added.