Body of missing 24-year-old paddleboarder found at Alder Lake
Jun 26, 2026, 8:55 AM
Rescue and recovery crews with the Pierce County Sheriff's Office search Alder Lake. (Photo courtesy of Pierce County Sheriff's Office)
(Photo courtesy of Pierce County Sheriff's Office)
The body of a 24-year-old missing paddleboarder has been found in Alder Lake in Pierce County.
Crews searching for him declared they are no longer hoping to find him alive as of Thursday, pivoting the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office’s search to a recovery mission.
“Thank you to all who have helped in this search,” the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office stated. “Our condolences go to the family of this tragic event.”
The search started Wednesday afternoon, when the 24-year-old man fell off his paddleboard and slipped underwater. He wasn’t wearing a life jacket, the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office confirmed, and he never came back up.
Two dozen crews jumped in to search.
“He has not been seen since around 4 p.m. yesterday,” the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office stated. “His girlfriend was with him on another paddleboard in the area and witnessed it.”
Despite the body now recovered, the sheriff’s office is still encouraging everyone to stay out of the area at this time.
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