Outdoors

Body of dead kayaker recovered from Lake Crescent on Wednesday

A 37-year-old man was kayaking in Lake Crescent in the Olympic National Park when he disappeared in the water on June 9, Washington officials said.
A 37-year-old man was kayaking in Lake Crescent in the Olympic National Park when he disappeared in the water on June 9, Washington officials said. National Park Service

Olympic National Park and Christian Aid Ministries workers recovered the body of 37-year-old Travis Valenti from Lake Crescent on Wednesday.

Valenti, who is from Massapequa, New York, was kayaking on the lake with his fiancee when his vessel took on water. Though he tried to continue paddling, he was forced to abandon his kayak. His fiancee’s kayak overturned as she tried to rescue him. Though she was able to swim to shore, Valenti struggled and drowned on June 9.

Christian Aid Ministries used a remote operated vehicle to locate Valenti’s body, which they found at a depth of 394 feet. The family and coroner’s office were notified shortly after.

This story was originally published June 23, 2023 at 1:32 PM.

Profile Image of Joanna Hou
Joanna Hou
The Olympian
Joanna Hou is a news intern for The Olympian. She is a student at Northwestern University majoring in journalism and history, and has previously worked at Frontline PBS and Midstory. At her college paper, The Daily Northwestern, she most recently served as campus editor.
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