On May 30,2013 Off. reported that he and Off. responded to Conimicut Pt. for a body in the water. While enroute officers were informed that the victim was recovered and identified as. Victim was then taken to Kent Hospital. Officers then responded to Warwick PD. Where the kayak that Victim was in was taken into custody. There EPO’s met with Warwick Det.. Sgt. who transferred custody of the kayak to DEM Police (marine base). Off was able to locate Victim vehicle which was at Long Meadow Fishing area in Warwick. He then notified Sgt. of the vehicle when Sgt. stated that Victim was pronounced dead at the hospital. 

According to Off. investigation, he reported that the weather that morning was pleasant. There was an incoming tide and winds were 10-15mph. The water temp was 66.5 and air was 62.2 at 0800 with Sea conditions at 1-2’. Someone in a kayak would have considerable difficulty navigating in those conditions. Modifications made to his kayak would have drastically changed the center of gravity. Victim also had a heavy build adding more weight to the kayak making it top heavy. It would not take much of a wave to partly capsize the kayak.  One hypothesis is that Victim’ fishing line may have become entangled somehow with the propeller of his trolling motor. In his attempts to untangle the line, he may have shifted his weight one way or the other while taking a wave or wake thus causing him to unintentionally enter the water. Once in the water it may have been difficult for him to get back in the kayak because of his build or physical limitations and the cluttered nature of his kayak.  Victim would not have been seen by passing boats to render help because boat traffic is limited in that area because of shallow waters and rocky conditions. The cause of death determined by the medical examiner was drowning.  Victim may have been overcome by waves and cold waters, complicated by heart disease and a heavy build.
WARWICK