Body of missing kayaker found in Peconic Bay (Credit: Martin Burke)
A report of an overdue kayaker that sparked a broad search of the western Peconic Estuary ended in tragedy on Saturday night when the body of the 18-year-old kayaker was found by a Southold Town Police Department search boat.
The kayaker, identified by Riverhead Town police as Raistlin Ruther, had shoved off about 8 a.m. from West Street South Jamesport and was reported overdue to return to the Riverhead Town police about 4 p.m.
A search was commenced a short time later that ultimately drew in emergency crews from multiple East End fire and police departments, as well as helicopters from the Suffolk County Police Department and U.S. Coast Guard station on Cape Cod.