Second missing kayaker found dead at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

By Cole Waterman | Cole_Waterman@mlive.com

Updated: Sep. 18, 2021, 6:06 p.m. | Published: Sep. 18, 2021, 5:39 p.m.

Kayaking in a serene Lake Superior, at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in late July.

MUNISING, MI — Authorities have recovered the body of a second kayaker who went missing in the Upper Peninsula.

The National Park Service confirmed on the afternoon of Saturday, Sept. 18, that U.S. Coast Guard personnel recovered both kayakers' bodies at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore the previous afternoon. The decedents have been identified as Kimberly Aiello of Troy and David Delegato of Shelby Township.

Aiello and Delegato had been reported missing the evening of Thursday, Sept. 16, sparking a search-and-rescue effort by state and federal agencies.

At the time of the initial call, Lake Superior was experiencing gale force gusts of up to 35 knots and waves building from 3 to 5 feet to as high as 7 feet. The severe weather contributed to the deaths, the National Park Service stated in a press release.

"I would like to thank all our agency partners that assisted us with the large and sustained emergency response in the face of severe overnight weather," said Joe Hughes, chief ranger of Picture Rocks National Lakeshore. "Specifically, the United States Coast Guard aviation and water borne assets who worked tirelessly to complete their mission in support of the National Park Service. Thank you."