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NEED TO KNOW
- A physique was found in Lake Lanier whereas authorities looked for Dustin Valencia, a lacking kayaker
- Valencia was reported lacking on Could 14 after he failed to select up his youngsters from college
- Lake Lanier has a excessive loss of life toll, main native folklore to allege that it’s “haunted”
Officers found a physique in Lake Lanier in Georgia whereas trying to find Dustin Valencia, a kayaker who was reported lacking on Wednesday, Could 14.
The physique was found 51 ft deep into the water in a cove close to the place Valencia, 43, was final seen, per 11Alive.
The identification course of is underway, however the physique has not been confirmed as Valencia, Forsyth County Public Info Officer Stacie A. Miller instructed PEOPLE.
“It’s one of many worst issues first responders must cope with,” Mark McKinnon of the Georgia Division of Pure Assets instructed WSB-TV, including that the seek for the daddy of 5 has ended.
Valencia was reported lacking after he failed to select up his youngsters from college, in response to 11Alive and WSB-TV. Police discovered his Honda Accord within the Lakeside Park car parking zone close to the reservoir.
The husband and father is a graduate of the College of Georgia, a detailed household buddy instructed 11Alive. Valencia’s spouse first tried to find him via Discover My iPhone.
On the morning of Friday, Could 16, a dock employee found Valencia’s kayak and paddle, and reported the invention to the authorities. Foul play just isn’t suspected at the moment, and a supply instructed WSB-TV that Valencia was coaching for a triathlon.
A vigil was held for Valencia at 12 p.m. on Thursday, Could 15, at a neighborhood church, they added.
“A bunch of us met at his church for a vigil, prayed, after which we left to return discover him,” Cait Fritts, a buddy of Valencia’s, instructed WSB-TV. “We’ve got been looking by foot and related with different pals who’ve boats, in search of any indicators of the kayak he was on. He’s obtained 5 youngsters. I can’t think about what his household goes via. I feel they’d need everybody to know and go search for him and unfold the phrase.”
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More than 200 people have died in Lake Lanier since 1994, per CNN. In 2023, there have been at least 12 deaths, together with two Georgia males who each died in unrelated incidents months aside, PEOPLE beforehand reported.
The reservoir broke floor in 1950 and was constructed for flood management, displacing practically 700 households. Greater than 1,000 individuals had been compelled out of the affluent Black neighborhood generally known as Oscarville by white people from Forsyth County, Teen Vogue reported.
Many now take into account the physique of water to be “haunted,” per the retailers.