Displaying items by tag: dead kayaker tallassee

TALLASSEE — The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) recovered the body of a missing kayaker on Tellico Lake after a days-long search.

Game wardens located the body of Richard Kitts, 57, of Maryville, on Tellico Lake Aug. 19, one week after he was first reported missing. Kitts was located during a targeted shoreline search at about 7:45 a.m. in the main channel off Citico Boat Ramp and was recovered by members of the Blount County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) Special Operations Team at approximately 10:30 a.m.

TWRA game wardens noted that Kitts was not wearing a personal flotation device when his body was recovered.

TWRA initially launched a full search effort Aug. 12 after being notified at about 1:40 p.m. of a possible missing person near the Tallassee Access Area along Highway 129. Responding TWRA game wardens determined that Kitts had left his residence the previous night around 8 p.m. and planned to kayak on Tellico Lake. His vehicle was located at the access area during the initial response.

Later that day, the search expanded when a boater discovered Kitts’ kayak and paddle adrift approximately one mile downstream from the access area, just below Chilhowee Dam. Personal belongings were found inside the kayak. TWRA game wardens began immediate shoreline and island searches.

In the days following the initial report, TWRA coordinated an extensive multiagency search effort involving BCSO, the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), Tellico Boaters Assistance Response Team, Knox County Rescue Squad and several local volunteer organizations. Search methods included shoreline searches, foot searches of nearby islands, aerial surveys and water‑based searches using visual sweeps and side‑scan sonar. THP’s aviation unit and multiple drone teams assisted in covering the remote area, where radio and cellular service are limited.