This story has been featured a number of times that it has become a classic cautionary tale amongst us bitcoin enthusiasts over the years. Basically warning people to always be mindful of where you store your assets and to never be complacent especially when it is hard-earned assets like your bitcoins that is at stake. I myself want to root for the guy, but it's been years already and there's almost always a good chance the HDD is already compacted and gone for good. Would highly suggest he move on at this point if he's still actively looking for it.