21-Year-Old Missing Kayaker's Remains Found in Colorado After Falling into Lake Granby amid 'Heavy Winds'

Authorities said the kayaker's friend told them that his kayak had capsized into the water on Sunday

A 21-year-old man's body was found after he went missing in Colorado after his kayak capsized in Lake Granby over the weekend.

The Grand County Sheriff’s Office said in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Sunday that they received a 911 call around 6:45 a.m. local time, reporting that there was a male in the water near Deer Island. The authorities were unable to conduct a thorough search at the time due to "heavy winds and choppy waters," per the sheriff's office's press release.

The following day, at approximately 7:30 p.m. responders located the man's remains on the lake bed. The authorities then retrieved the deceased's body with the use of an underwater remote-operated vehicle (ROV), according to a press release from the sheriff’s office.

The kayaker's body was then placed in the care of the Grand County Coroner’s Office, and the deceased's family arrived in Colorado following the discovery. The coroner's office will release the deceased's identity and his death cause and manner at a later time.

In the press release, Grand County Sheriff Brett Schroetlin said, “Unfortunately, over the last several years, Grand County has experienced a significant number of water-related emergencies and recoveries."

"The formation of the Headwaters Water Rescue Authority encompasses law enforcement, fire and EMS personnel who plan and prepare for these operations and then immediately respond to these incidents to bring closure to the family,” Schroetlin said.

After weather conditions improved the following day, emergency responders returned to Lake Granby to conduct additional searches for the missing man. During the search, the responders utilized the Kremmling Police Department's cellular forensics and the specialized equipment from the Headwaters Water Rescue Authority and Colorado Parks and Wildlife Marine Evidence Recovery Team (MERT).

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Photos shared on X and Facebook by the sheriff’s office showed heavy snowfall as the search teams made their way into the water. 

Related: Missing Fisherman’s Kayak Found Days After His Disappearance in Wisconsin

In a press release on Sunday, the sheriff’s office said that the man and his friend had spent the night on Deer Island in the middle of the lake and were attempting to return to their car on the shore when the incident happened.

“As they attempted to kayak across the open water, the wind caused his friend’s kayak to capsize and he fell into the lake,” the sheriff's office said. “The reporting party was unable to save his friend before he went underwater, but was able to get himself back to shore."

Related: Body of Missing Kayaker Recovered in Texas Lake 4 Days After Her Disappearance

Authorities said that together with medical and fire teams, Colorado Parks and Wildlife personnel and staff from the Beacon Landing Marina at Lake Granby, they attempted to locate the man but faced difficult conditions.

“While responding to the area, responders experienced massive snow fall, blowing and drifting conditions and zero or near-zero visibility,” the sheriff's office said. “Responders were able to search the area with the assistance of Colorado Parks and Wildlife and a boat from Beacon Landing Marina, however the heavy winds and choppy water that initially affected the victim, also made it difficult for rescuers.”

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