Bret Kyle Valona

MISSING PERSON ALERT – PLEASE SHARE
Bret Kyle Valona | NamUs #MP141148
Missing from Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
Date of Last Contact: March 1, 2025
Reported Missing: March 28, 2025
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office is actively searching for 36-year-old Bret Valona, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and experienced primitive outdoorsman. Bret was last seen when his family dropped him off at the Eastern Trail parking lot at 1137 S Co Highway 395 in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida on March 1, 2025. He is known to survive off the land for weeks at a time, using minimal equipment and camping deep in the forest.
He typically checks in after three weeks—but after missing that window, his family grew concerned and reported him missing. Search crews, K-9 teams, and deputies on bikes have been combing Point Washington State Forest. There have been a few reported sightings, but nothing recent.
Last seen wearing:
• Flannel shirt
• Khaki-colored Dickie shorts
• Yellow rain jacket
• Two backpacks
Description:
• White male
• 6’1” tall
• 190 lbs
• Short brown hair
• Blue eyes
• Goatee
Missing Person Case Number: 2025-00041353
NamUs Case #: MP141148
Agency Contact: Walton County Sheriff’s Office – (850) 892-8111
Case Page: https://waltonso.org/
We hope Bret is simply continuing his time in the forest—but his family and the sheriff’s office just want to confirm he’s safe.
Please share to help spread the word and bring Bret home safely.