FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Friends have joined authorities, searching for a missing kayaker on Lake Lanier near Little Ridge Park in Forsyth County.
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“I was just working out with him at 5 a.m. Tuesday and the fact that he is missing, there’s just too (many) words to describe,” said Cat Fritts.
Fritts and others have been searching along trails and on the water for 43-year-old Dustin Valencia.
His wife reported him missing on Wednesday, after he left home and didn’t arrive to pick up their children at school. Authorities found his Honda Accord in the Lakeside Park parking lot.
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“At Little Ridge Park, we located his vehicle. We also located some items on the shore of the lake close to his vehicle, to lead us to believe that he left the shore in an inflatable kayak. He’s not been seen since,” said Forsyth Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Josh Bell.
Bell said teams from multiple agencies launched a search on the water and land for Valencia yesterday and Wednesday morning.
“So far, we have had drone teams, marine patrol units from the Forsyth Sheriff’s Office, Department of Natural Resources, and Army Corps of Engineers, all have been assisting,” said Bell.
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Underwater sonar radar has also been deployed for the missing husband and father. Authorities do not suspect foul play, and friends say Valencia was in excellent shape and training for a triathlon.
“A group of us met at his church for a vigil, prayed, and then we left to come find him. We have been searching by foot and connected with other friends who have boats, looking for any signs of the kayak he was on. He’s got five kids. I can’t imagine what his family is going through. I think they would want everyone to know and go look for him and spread the word,” said Fritts.
Authorities are asking people on the lake to keep a lookout for anything that looks like an inflatable kayak.
They may resume their search tomorrow.
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