BODY FOUND: kayakers reported seeing man swim away from the disabled boat and sink out of sight
Michael Jenkins identified as deceased boater
NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk Police have identified the man whose body was recovered in the water near the Willoughby boat ramp, as 53-year-old Michael Jenkins.
Jenkins, of the 1700 block of E. Ocean View Avenue was seen struggling in the water in the 9700 block of 8th View Street on Sunday, August 4, 2019. When first responders arrived, they attempted to locate Jenkins but were unsuccessful.
Drowning victim’s body recovered in Ocean View
NORFOLK, Va. – The body of the drowning victim that went missing Sunday evening was recovered Monday afternoon, Aug. 5, 2019, reports Norfolk Police.
On Sunday, August 4th around 6:10 p.m., an adult man was seen struggling in the water around the 9700 block of 8th View Street. When first responders arrived, they attempted to locate the man, but were unsuccessful.
Several agencies responded to the area, including the United States Coast Guard, Virginia Marine Police, Norfolk-Fire Rescue, and the Norfolk Police Harbor Patrol.
Monday afternoon, around 1:30 p.m., crews recovered his body from the Willoughby boat ramp near 13th View Street.
Police said the man’s identity will be released once his family members have been properly notified.
The Coast Guard suspended its search Monday the man who reportedly entered the water after his vessel became disabled.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads received the initial report at approximately 6 p.m., from a pair of kayakers who had seen a man swim away from his disabled vessel, but he did not resurface.
Crews from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina, the Coast Guard Cutter Razorbill and Coast Guard Station Little Creek utilized search patterns spanning a total of 164 square miles.
Personnel and assets from the Norfolk Fire Department, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and the Virginia Marine Police also participated in the search effort.
“One of the hardest parts of my job is making the decision to suspend a search for someone who has entered the water and hasn’t made it out,” said Capt. Kevin Carroll, Commander of Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads. “It is with great sadness that I announce this suspension, and my heart is with the friends and families who have been impacted by this unfortunate circumstance.”
