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Body of missing kayaker from Everett recovered near Hat Island

Several agencies joined the search for a kayaker who called 911 when the weather turned bad on Tuesday.

EVERETT, Wash. — Search and rescue crews found the body of a 37-year-old Everett man who went missing near Jetty Island on Tuesday.

The man, identified as James Lesemann, was found near Hat Island on Wednesday.

The Everett Police Department said the remains were recovered by crews from U.S. Naval Station Whidbey Island. 

Authorities said a kayaker in distress called 911 around 12:37 p.m. Tuesday to report high winds and rough seas. The call enabled rescuers to get a general location for the search. 

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Everett Fire and the EPD deployed several boats to search the area after a kayak was located without an occupant Tuesday afternoon.

The search was paused at nightfall Tuesday, but the U.S. Coast Guard continued to search by helicopter and boat. A Navy helicopter rescue crew from Whidbey Island joined the search Wednesday.

About five agencies joined the search, including the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office's marine unit and Tulalip authorities, according to Everett Fire.

Tuesday brought severe weather into western Washington. Heavy rain, hail and strong winds blasted the region. Several Tornado Warnings were issued for parts of the Kitsap Peninsula around noon but were canceled.

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