July 4, 2020 7:05 a.m.

The search for Jared Boria, a missing kayaker presumed drowned, is still underway.

Sergeant Brad O’Dell of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said the 37-year old went missing last Tuesday after he launched his kayak from his camping space at Diamond Lake Campground and paddled out onto the lake. At approximately 10:20 p.m., dispatchers began receiving reports of a man yelling for help from the water. Boria was later reported missing by his wife.

O’Dell said searchers have located Boria’s kayak, his paddle and shoes, but have not found him.

O’Dell said there are factors which make this a difficult search mission. He said the primary difficulty is that no one observed where Boria was on the lake when he was calling for help. O’Dell said “searches usually begin at the point where the individual was last seen”. He said in this case, it was too dark and witnesses could only hear requests for help. O’Dell said therefore they are making assumptions as to where he may have become distressed.

Efforts to find the man have included marine deputies and searchers with specialized underwater scanning capabilities, dive team efforts, Search and Rescue crews from multiple counties and air assets. Along with Douglas County, help has come from Coos, Klamath, and Jackson counties, along with Diamond Lake Resort, Oregon State Police, United States Forest Service and REACH Air Medical Services.

Search efforts are continuing over the holiday weekend. Anyone recreating in the area is asked to report any possible signs of Boria by calling 911.