UPDATE: October 21 at 11:49 a.m.
The Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office shared a final update regarding Jostin Montes, the kayaker who was found dead after calling 911 for help from the Columbia River.
WWCSO said it was determined the cause of death was accidental drowning.
“We are heartbroken to report this incident and do not want our community or another family to endure this hurt,” WWCSO wrote.
The sheriff’s office also emphasized the importance of wearing life jackets, which is required for anyone operating paddle crafts—such as canoes, kayaks and rafts—under state law.
“Please let this tragic loss of life serve as a stark reminder that life jackets save lives! Avoiding situations like this is exactly why we issue tickets when we encounter boaters without them,” WWCSO said.
UPDATE: October 15 at 8:00 p.m.
This afternoon, the Walla Walla County Marine Unit, Detective Bureau and Columbia Basin Dive Rescue resumed efforts to locate the missing kayaker.
At 5:25 p.m., Dive Rescue found the kayaker, Jostin L. Garcia Montes, near the area previously identified for further search, Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office said in a release.
Detectives and the coroner are investigating the cause of death. Authorities do not suspect foul play.
WALLA WALLA, Wash – Sheriff’s deputies with the Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office (WWSO) are searching for a missing kayaker after receiving a distress call on Monday afternoon.
A 911 call came from a man stating he was drowning, but the connection was lost before dispatch could assist, WWSO said in a release.
The call’s location was traced to a common hunting and fishing area near the Burbank slough off the Columbia River.
A joint response from multiple agencies, including Walla Walla County Deputies and Washington State Fish and Wildlife, quickly mobilized.
Search efforts included foot patrols, air support from drone teams and water searches by various agencies.
They discovered a kayak and personal belongings in the water, along with a nearby vehicle, but no person has been found.
The Walla Walla County Marine Unit, Detective Bureau and Columbia Dive Rescue are continuing the search.
The family of the missing kayaker has been notified and is assisting with the investigation, WWSO added.
ORIGINAL COVERAGE: October 15 at 3:00 p.m.
