20-12 months-Outdated Vanishes Whereas Kayaking at Night time, Household Speaks Out

• Marcelus Angelo Rodriguez disappeared on April 12, and was final seen kayaking on the Willamette River, in accordance with police
• Though his kayak was discovered about 7.5 miles downstream of Willamette Falls the subsequent day, the 20-year-old man stays lacking
• In an announcement launched by police, his household mentioned they’re “devastated by the tragic occasion” and “wouldn’t want this expertise on anybody”

A 20-year-old man disappeared whereas kayaking in Oregon and now his household is left grappling with grief.

On the night of Saturday, April 12, Marcelus Angelo Rodriguez arrived within the space whereas on trip along with his household, then went out kayaking within the Willamette River, the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Workplace mentioned in a press launch.

Shortly earlier than 11:00 p.m. native time, police reported that a number of individuals known as 911 to report “observing a kayaker in misery” simply upstream of Willamette Falls. “A short while later, witnesses said the person, a lone grownup male, was seen going over the falls and didn’t resurface,” police wrote.

In audio obtained by ABC affiliate KATU and Fox station KMPH-TV, one caller, recognized as Carlos Acosta said that there was an “emergency.”

Over the telephone, Acosta might be heard yelling to others on the scene, “Do you guys see him? Put some lights on him!”

After briefly shedding sight of the kayaker, Acosta discovered them once more and mentioned that he was “combating with the water” and “screaming for assist.”

One other witness, Nathan Billman, known as 911 and reported seeing a person go over the sting of the waterfall and screaming for assist, the retailers reported.

The third 911 name got here from a girl, Amy Beli, who was on a floating dwelling on the river and encountered the kayaker earlier than his scenario turned harmful.

The lady mentioned she spoke to the person, who didn’t appear distressed on the time.

The next day, police introduced that they’d discovered the person’s kayak close to Elk Rock Island, which is about 7.5 river miles away from Willamette Falls. 

Three days later, and regardless of “in depth efforts” to seek out him, officers recognized the kayaker, who remained lacking.

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Police additionally shared a message on behalf of the Rodriguez household, who mentioned they have been “actually devastated” by what occurred and “wouldn’t want this expertise on anybody.”

“Our household is making each effort to heal and are available to phrases with our loss,” they added.

Because the assertion continued, the household urged others to be cautious when going out on the river “because the forces of nature can rapidly change into overwhelming and lethal.”

“We lengthen our honest gratitude to the groups of first responders who rushed to our assist and proceed to seek for our boy. We additionally thank the locals and fishermen out on the water who’ve been watchful and useful throughout this tough time,” the household added. “Marcelus liked God, his household, and nature. We hope that this tragic accident may be prevented sooner or later for different households. Might God maintain watch over Marcelus and bless him at all times.”

Of their assertion, officers mentioned that the search efforts are ongoing by the Sheriff’s Workplace Marine Unit, who hope to “carry closure” to the household.