Search suspended for missing kayaker

The United States Coast Guard and Alaska State Troopers announced Saturday the search for a missing kayaker has been suspended.

AST received a report on April 7 that Sitka resident Jesse Mills, 40, had embarked on a kayaking trip the previous evening but had not returned by 5 a.m.

Sitka Police and Fire Department’s search, rescue and dive team joined the USCG and community volunteers in conducting a search of Sitka Sound and the surrounding shoreline throughout the day and into the night. The search included air, water and ground assets, according to AST.

On Friday, Mill’s lime green and white colored kayak was found on Kasiana Island, approximately four miles northwest of Sitka. Search dogs and rescue crews turned up no other sign of the kayak’s owner after a thorough search. A first light search conducted Saturday by a USCG MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Sitka also yielded no results.

“The decision to suspend a search is never an easy one to make and is done with great care and deliberation,” commented Lt. Stacey Tate in a release. Tate is a search and rescue mission coordinator at Sector Juneau. “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the missing man.”

Mills was last seen wearing black Carhartt pants, with a black hoody. He is a Caucasian male, 6’2”, 180 pounds, with brown hair. Any persons who may have seen him are asked to call Trooper dispatch at 907-225-5118.