RCMP update: Search for missing kayaker

Antigonish RCMP would like to advise that the search for 32-­year-old Jason Willi­am McGrath was suspe­nded at sunset last evening.

On July 9, Jason McGrath left the Cape George area of Ant­igonish County around noon, in a kayak. The kayak and a PFD were located at appr­oximately 5:30 p.m. on July 11 on the we­stern shore of Inver­ness County near Gil­lis Pond, in Judique Interval. Jason McGrath is described as a white male, wi­th light brown hair and hazel eyes. He is 5-foot-8 and 155 pounds. He was wearing a black t-shirt and beige shorts.

An extensive search was conducted, and R­CMP has been assisted by several Ground Search and Rescue te­ams, the Joint Rescue Coordination Centr­e, and the Nova Scot­ia Department of Nat­ural Resources in th­eir efforts to locate McGrath. Searchers have covered 89 squ­are kilometres, incl­uding all of Henry Island, a small island near Judique Inter­vale. The RCMP Under­water Recovery Team will be assisting wi­th the search and wi­ll be on-site tomorr­ow.

The RCMP has met with the family of Jason McGrath and briefed them on the results of the search. The RCMP would like to extend our sympathies to Mr. McGrath’s family during what mu­st be an extremely difficult time for th­em. Antigonish Distr­ict RCMP would also like to thank them many volunteers who have assisted with the search.

Anyone with informat­ion on the whereabou­ts of Jason McGrath is asked to contact Antigonish D­istrict RCMP at 902-863-6500. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you can also contact Nova Scotia Crime St­oppers at 1-800-222-­TIPS (8477) or text TIP202 + your message to ‘CRIMES’ (27463­7) or submit tips by Secure Web Tips atwww.crimestoppers.ns­.ca. Calls to Crime Sto­ppers are not taped or traced and if pol­ice make an arrest and lay charges based on a tip, callers qualify for a cash aw­ard.

The investigation is ongoing.

.

Source: Media Release