LAWRENCE, KS — A weekend outing ended in tragedy as authorities confirmed the recovery of a 20-year-old Olathe man’s body from Clinton Lake on Monday morning.
The search began Sunday evening after witnesses near the Clinton Marina reported seeing a kayak tip over around 5:30 p.m. According to onlookers, the man disappeared beneath the surface and never resurfaced.
Search and Recovery Operations
The Douglas County Underwater Search and Recovery team responded immediately, scouring the area until approximately 9:00 p.m. Sunday. Operations were forced to a halt due to dangerous darkness and visibility conditions.
Divers resumed the search at daybreak on Monday. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the team located the body shortly before 10:00 a.m., within the same vicinity where the man was last seen.
Investigation Ongoing
While the recovery brings a somber close to the search efforts, several details remain pending:
- Identification: The man’s name has not yet been released, pending notification of extended family.
- Cause of Incident: Officials have not confirmed if the kayaker was wearing a life jacket at the time the vessel capsized.
The Sheriff’s Office expressed their condolences to the family of the young man as they continue to investigate the circumstances of the drowning.
