RedactedNarrative: On January 1, 2018 at approximately 11:23 am, the Carteret County Sheriff's Office received a call from subject who reported that she had not heard from her husband who went kayaking off Harkers Island.  Subject reported that her husband last spoke with her at 1:30 pm on December 31, 2017.  Once the call came in, Harkers Island Fire Department responded to the area along with the sheriff's office.  Sgt. with the Carteret Sherriff's Office contacted the Coast Guard and myself informing us of the situation.  
  
  At approximately 12:30 pm, Sgt. had Carteret Emergency Communications pin Operator's cell phone.  The pin successfully gave a location.  Harkers Island Fire Department began to search the area looking for Operator.  Marine Patrol and the U.S. Coast Guard were requested for air assets to be launched.  At approximately 1:00 pm (Vessel 1) had been located on Shackleford Banks just to the west of Harkers Island.   All air assets and all other responding officers from Marine Patrol and Wildlife were canceled when Operator was located.
  
  Harkers Island Fire Department recovered the body of Operator and transported him by boat to the park ranger station at Harkers Island.  Operator was taken to Carteret General Hospital.  Operator possessions were recovered from person.  Wildlife Officers went and notified the family at their residence.   On January 3, 2018 at noon an autopsy was conducted at Onslow Memorial Hospital.  The autopsy found that he died from drowning.
  
  It is assumed he capsized due to heavy weather.