RedactedNarrative: On August 3, 2021, at approximately 3:30 PM, I received a call that DNR Communications heard over the United States Coast Guard emergency channel of a Good Samaritan advising that there were three people in the water near the Thomas Point Lighthouse located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland at approximate GPS coordinates N38* 53.64' W076 26.599'. DNR Communications further advised that USCG and Anne Arundel County Fire Department (AAFD) were enroute as well.
       After arriving on the scene, I made contact with the Good Samaritan who had picked up two of the subjects onto his vessel, identified as a white Parker displaying current Maryland registration 7663 BZ. GOOD SAMARITAN advised that as he was changing his fishing locations when he noticed two people struggling on a blue kayak, described as a Lifetime, Teton sit-on-top kayak with HIN#- LPED3667D121. GOOD SAMARITAN advised, one suspect was on the kayak and another subject was hanging onto the back of the kayak wearing an orange Type II PFD. After GOOD SAMARITAN got both subjects onto his vessel, he subsequently contacted USCG on the emergency radio channel for their assistance.
       After gathering information from GOOD SAMARITAN I began interviewing OPERATOR 1. OPERATOR 1 stated that he and two of his friends left his community ramp, located next to Selby Bay Marina 931 Selby Blvd. Edgewater, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, for a sailing trip to the Thomas Point Lighthouse and then back to the ramp. OPERATOR 1 advised that on their way back from the lighthouse he decided to get onto the kayak, in order to be towed behind the sailboat. After some time of being on the kayak, OPERATOR 1 stated that VICTIM wanted to try being towed behind on the kayak as well. During the time of OPERATOR 1 getting off the kayak and VICTIM getting onto it, VICTIM flipped the kayak over and fell into the water. Subsequently, OPERATOR 1 grabbed an orange Type I PDF and attempted to swim it to VICTIM. OPERATOR 1 advised that he was approximately 15 feet from VICTIM but was unable to get the PFD to him.
       While OPERATOR 1 and VICTIM were in the water, PASSENGER quickly lowered the sails on the sailboat and got into the kayak to attempt to help his friends. However, by the time PASSENGER made it to OPERATOR 1, he was unable to locate VICTIM.  OPERATOR 1 then put on the PFD that he was swimming with and held onto the kayak. PASSENGER then attempted to paddle them both back to the sailboat until GOOD SAMARITAN had spotted them struggling and came over to assist them. After interviewing each of the suspects and the Good Samaritan, I had each of them write a witness statement.
       I then got OPERATOR 1, PASSENGER, and their kayak, onto my patrol vessel. I subsequently took OPERATOR 1 to his sailboat, which USCG had previously anchored at an approximate GPS location, N 38*52.951’ W076*26.598’, and followed him back to the area of Selby Bay Marina. After returning to the area, OPERATOR 1 tied his sailboat to a mooring ball in the area and I took both subjects back to the pier for the Maryland Natural Resources Police investigators to complete their interview of the subjects.
       After dropping the subjects off to the investigators, I went back out to the area of the incident and joined in the efforts of the surface search for VICTIM.
   All events occurred in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
  This case is open pending NRP Investigators' conclusion. On August 17, 2021 at approximately 1439 hours, I received a copy of the autopsy report for VICTIM from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) via email. The autopsy report listed the manner of death as Accident and the cause of death as Drowning.  A copy of the OCME report is attached to this report.
       I respectfully request that this case be closed as an Accidental Drowning Death based on witness statements, evidence and the findings of the Chief Medical Examiner.
  All events occurred in Anne Arundel County.
  