The Unsolved Disappearance of William "Sky" Pilgrim
In the tunnels, safety lasts only as long as the weather holds. When the rare desert storms hit, the water can rise in seconds. Tunnels turn into rivers, and people and their belongings get swept away in a flash.
On March 12, 2020, that’s exactly what happened.
Las Vegas was hit with a sudden, record-breaking downpour. The previous rainfall record for that date—0.24 inches, set in 1973—was shattered when 0.77 inches of rain fell in just four hours. Streets flooded, cars were stranded in intersections, and at least five people were swept away in the rushing water.
That evening, William “Sky” Pilgrim was in the tunnels near Flamingo Road and University Center Drive with his partner of 20 years, Wendy Cox. As they heard the roar of water approaching—described by one resident as “sounding like a freight train”—they had only seconds to tie their arms together in a desperate attempt to stay connected when the wall of water hit them.
The flood surged through the tunnels, sweeping them under and carrying them toward the wash near the Cambridge Community Center. Wendy felt the rope jerk and then snap. She managed to grab onto the wire fencing along the wash and pull herself out.
But Sky never resurfaced.
Police searched the area that night and again the next day, but no trace of him was found. Based on tunnel maps, it’s likely Wendy was carried roughly half a mile to three-quarters of a mile in the raging current. Two of their friends didn’t survive the flood: Larry Walker, 26, whose body was recovered the next day, and Jeremy Hogg, 40, found on March 20, 2020.
For Wendy, the events of that night replay endlessly. She told the Review-Journal that they had waited out storms before, and the flooding had never been this sudden or this severe.
She immediately began searching for Sky herself. She created missing persons flyers. She walked the edges of the wash, looking for any sign of him or his clothing.
But then, within days, the world changed.
COVID spread, businesses shut down, and Las Vegas went quiet. Public agencies were overwhelmed. People stayed inside. Community resources disappeared overnight. And Sky, an unhoused man swept away in a massive storm, was quickly forgotten by a city and a world in crisis.
Even in the best circumstances, cases involving unhoused individuals don’t get the urgency or attention they deserve. During the chaos of an emerging pandemic, the little momentum Sky’s case had evaporated.
William “Sky” Pilgrim was 44 years old when he disappeared. Today, he would be 49.
He is described as:
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Black male
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5’8”
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210 lbs
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Bald
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Pierced ears
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Tattoo reading “We the people” on his arm
At the time he vanished, he was wearing:
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Black jacket
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Gray Nike shirt
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Black Echo jogging pants
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Earrings
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Three silver rings
Sky has now been missing for five years.
If you have any information, please contact Las Vegas Metro Police at (702) 828-2907. His NamUs profile can be found at sinspod.co/williampilgrim.
Sharing his story helps keep Sky’s name alive. His loved ones deserve answers, and Las Vegas should not forget him.
Listen to this week’s episode at sinspod.co/102.
Shaun
Co-Host
Since her early teen years, Shaun has been contemplating the question, “How do we prevent crime?” Shaun has more than 25 years of experience in advocacy for survivors of crime, HIV/AIDS-infected/affected individuals, undocumented immigrants, family court petitioners, and children. She has lived in the Las Vegas area since 2005, working and volunteering for dozens of local non-profit organizations. Shaun is a proud graduate of City University of New York School of Law. Suggestions for episodes and questions for Shaun can be emailed questions@sinsandsurvivors.com
