Body of missing kayaker found near Little Deer Isle

Authorities launched air, sea and ground search

May 6, 2026

By Jessi Hardy

Eggemoggin Fire Company was joined by state and federal authorities in the search. Photo by John Boit.

LITTLE DEER ISLE–The body of a missing kayaker was recovered by the Maine Marine Patrol early Tuesday afternoon near Little Deer Isle.

According to Deer Isle Fire Chief Brent Morey, local workers first noticed an overturned kayak in a cove off Wiegand Place, situated near the Deer Isle-Sedgwick Bridge. Kergan Perkins and his coworker, employees of Maine Wood Floors, were working on a house on the water and saw a person get into the kayak. A short time later, they realized the kayak was upside down and the person was missing. They promptly called 911, alerting authorities around 10:30 a.m.

The kayaker was later identified by authorities as 55-year-old Jeffery B. Eaton of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Following the initial call, emergency responders arrived quickly to commence a coordinated search of the area.

The search effort included the Eggemoggin Fire Company—comprising the Sedgwick, Deer Isle, and Stonington fire departments—along with the Maine State Police, Marine Patrol, and the U.S. Coast Guard. Resources included Coast Guard aircraft and vessels, while volunteer firefighters conducted a ground search along both sides of the coastline.

Marine Patrol officers discovered Eaton’s body at approximately 1:45 p.m., about half a mile from his initial launch point. Officials noted that Eaton was not wearing a life jacket or a wetsuit at the time. After his family was notified, he was transferred to a local funeral home.