On 07/12/2023 at approximately 9:00 p.m., I was notified in reference to an abandoned kayak in the Twin Church area of Cherokee Lake in Grainger County. The kayak had been retrieved by a witness and taken to a residence. Upon my arrival on scene, I observed an unoccupied green Pelican kayak containing personal items. Upon further investigation, I documented a pair of shoes, a cell phone, miscellaneous items, and medication bottles. 

Victim's father was notified and arrived on scene. Father advised he had not had contact with his son since 3:00 a.m. on 07/12/2023. The kayak and contents were secured and submitted into evidence. Last point of operation was unknown and the kayak was approximately 3 miles from Victims residence. A search and rescue operation ensued with the use of drones, scanning equipment, and shoreline and island searches from point 16/17 to point 12. 

On 07/14/2023 at approximately 9:50 a.m., I was notified that victim had been recovered. Father had observed a floating object approximately 200 feet from a dock. Father and Bean Station Fire Department swam to the object and discovered it was victim.  He was brought to shore. The Grainger County Medical Examiner pronounced him dead on scene declaring the cause of death by drowning.
CHEROKEE RESERVOIR
BEAN STATION                  