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Body found in search for missing kayaker at Lake Lanier

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LAKE LANIER, Ga. — Officials said Friday that a body has been found while searching for a man who disappeared while kayaking on Lake Lanier.

The identity has not been confirmed, but officials believe it is likely Dustin Valencia, a 43-year-old father of five. The formal process to make an identification is underway.

Mark McKinnon with Georgia Department of Natural Resources told Channel 2’s Tom Regan that the search has ended.

“It’s one of the worst things first responders have to deal with,” he said.

Valencia was reported missing Wednesday by his wife 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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Earlier Friday, a dockworker found Valencia’s kayak and paddle on the afternoon he vanished but didn’t think anything was suspicious and took them to a lost and found.

Once he saw the news reports Thursday evening, he reported what he found to the authorities.

Crews have been concentrating the search in the cove where Valencia paddled from, and where the kayak and paddle were found.

The sheriff says the wind was blowing back into the cove, so if he was out in the channel and something happened, the kayak likely would have blown back to where he started.

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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 Cat Fritts.

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