UPDATE (Mon., June 19, 2023) - The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office has released the identity of the kayaker who was found dead in the water off Avila Beach on Sunday.
Sheriff's officials say it's believed Christopher Neil Chisholm, 40, of Burbank fell out of his kayak. A friend who was kayaking with him reportedly tried to help but was unable to rescue him.
Chisholm's body was recovered about two hours later.
An autopsy will be conducted to determine the manner and cause of death, but sheriff's officials say it appears to be accidental.
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(Sun., June 18, 2023) - According to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office in a press release sent Sunday evening, at approximately 5pm an adult male was kayaking with a friend in the waters off Avila Beach when he fell out of his kayak.
The man's friend paddled over to him and found him unresponsive in the water. He was unable to rescue the man but made it back to shore where he alerted authorities, according to the sheriff's office .
Sheriff's detectives, Cal Fire, Harbor Patrol, CHP and the Coast Guard were all involved in the search for the body of the missing kayaker. They located the body at 7pm, according to the press release.
At this time the Sheriff's Office says the death appears to be accidental.
The identification of the kayaker is pending notification of next of kin.
