RedactedNarrative: On Tuesday, May 16, 2017, victim was kayaking down Laurel Creek just North West of the Town of Damascus in Washington County Virginia. According to VICTIM's wife he was an experienced whitewater kayaker with many year’s experience and had paddled this particular section on numerous occasions.
  
   VICTIM had launched at approximately 1515, his exact location of launch is unknown since there were no witnesses. A note was left in the truck when VICTIM’S WIFE picked it up stating that he launched at 1515 and expected to be at Alvarado at 1715. During his float down the creek, VICTIM came upon an old dam that stretched the width of the creek. According to witnesses “VICTIM assessed (viewed) the dam and went over the dam on the right side of it at approximately 1614. After VICTIM went over it, Witness1 observed “VICTIM disappear and not come right back up and then was observed to be struggling.” 
  
  At this time, approximately 1615, Witness1 ran to a neighbor’s house to have them call 911 and went to get a yard rake to possibly help VICTIM out of the water. Witness2 observed “VICTIM churning under the falls and went down the river”, while witness1 went to the neighbors. 
  
  Another witness observed, “VICTIM “bob” to the surface at least two times with his head face down in the water.”  When Witness1 got back (after going to neighbors) VICTIM was observed by all three witnesses (floating down the middle of the creek face down). 
  
  VICTIM floated down the creek approximately 100 yards until he got caught on a rock in the center of the creek. He remained caught on the rock until EMS personnel retrieved his body. His body was clearly visible from the bank as he was wearing a yellow shirt, an orange personal floatation device and a green helmet. 
  
  Officer was notified via the WCSO of the incident and immediately notified Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) dispatch at 1625. The first DGIF unit arrived on scene at 1654, with the others arrived within minutes. The Glade Spring Life Saving Crew Special Operations Team launched a life raft at approximately 1730 and was successful in recovering the body and quickly getting it to the bank. At approximately 1756 VICTIM was pronounced dead at the scene by Damascus Rescue. Officers recovered the Kayak downstream.  The cause of death was determined to be drowning.
  