COPPER HARBOR – The Keweenaw County Sheriff’s Office reported that a search and recovery effort for a canoeist missing in Copper Harbor was concluded Sunday evening. The deceased individual was one of two fatalities in a canoe capsize in the early Saturday morning.

Keweenaw County Undersheriff/Jail Administrator Tonya Mattila said that while she is aware that the names of the people involved in the incident have appeared on social media, the Sheriff’s Office in not releasing them at this time.

“I can say that they’re local residents,” she said, “but for now, we just want the families to have privacy while they struggle with their loss in the very difficult time.”

The Sunday evening recovery ended a search that began around 4 a.m. Saturday morning, when the Sheriff’s Office the Keweenaw County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to Copper Harbor in response to an emergency call. Three individuals were canoeing in Copper Harbor when their vessel capsized. One individual was able to make it to shore and promptly contacted 911 at approximately 3:50 a.m. to report the emergency.

According to the first of three releases issued by the Sheriff’s Office, multiple agencies immediately responded, including the Keweenaw County Sheriff’s Office, Keweenaw Search and Rescue, Copper Harbor Fire, U.S. Coast Guard -with helicopter assistance –, Michigan DNR, and the Michigan State Police dive team dispatched from Lower Michigan. By Saturday evening, the first of the two fatalities had been recovered. Search and recovery efforts for the remaining individual were suspended for the night due to safety and operational considerations. Recovery operations resumed again Sunday morning with the continued support of all partner agencies.

On Sunday evening, the Sheriff’s Office issued a third release regarding the ongoing efforts: “As of tonight, the second individual who had been missing following Saturday morning’s canoe incident in Copper Harbor has been located and recovered.”

Throughout the search and recovery mission, the Sheriff’s Office respectfully requested the public to avoid the area and to honor the privacy of the families affected.

“Our deepest condolences go out to the families, friends, and loved ones affected by this tragic event,” The Sheriff’s Office stated. “We ask that their privacy be respected during this incredibly difficult time.”

The Sheriff’s Office also expressed its personnel’s sincere gratitude to all of the agencies and personnel who assisted in this operation, including Keweenaw Search and Rescue, Copper Harbor FD, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Michigan State Police dive team, Michigan DNR, American Red Cross, Salvation Army, local area restaurants and businesses who donated food and supplies.

“The Keweenaw County Sheriff’s Office would also like to thank the community for their continued support and cooperation throughout this challenging recovery effort,” the Sunday release states.