Kayak, Paddle of Missing Atlanta Dad of 5, Dustin Valencia, Found as Search Continues

Authorities and family members are continuing a desperate search for Dustin Valencia, who disappeared this week while kayaking on Georgia’s Lake Lanier, a body of water known for its high number of drownings.

The 43-year-old father of five was reported missing Wednesday by his wife after he failed to pick up his children from school. His vehicle was discovered at Little Ridge Park on the southern edge of Lake Lanier, a popular but perilous reservoir northeast of Atlanta, Atlanta News First reported. Investigators believe he had taken his family’s yellow and gray Intex inflatable kayak out onto the lake that afternoon.

What To Know

The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office launched a major land and water search operation Thursday, deploying marine units and drones in the area where his kayak was last seen. The search effort intensified Friday after authorities confirmed that a dockworker had come forward with the kayak and paddle believed to belong to Valencia. He had retrieved them from the water on Wednesday—the day Valencia vanished—but only recognized their importance after seeing media coverage the following evening, WSB-TV reported.

Deputies said the kayak’s seats were not inflated or installed when it was found, and Valencia did not appear to have brought a life vest. According to the sheriff, wind conditions at the time suggest that if Valencia encountered trouble while out in the channel, his kayak would have drifted back toward the cove where he initially launched, reported WSB-TV. That detail has narrowed the search area to a cove near where the kayak entered the water.

As of Friday afternoon, deputies were continuing to search both above and below the lake’s surface, using drones and specialized sonar equipment. Dive teams were deployed, and boats were seen operating cameras underwater to identify any signs of Valencia, according to Atlanta News First.

The sheriff’s office has released an image of the kayak model Valencia used and is encouraging boaters and lake visitors to remain alert. Authorities continue to ask the public for help. Anyone with information is urged to call the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office at (770) 781-3087.

Is Georgia’s Lake Lanier Haunted?

Lake Lanier’s dark reputation stems from its history and a series of unexplained tragedies over the years. The lake, created in the 1950s and located in the foothills of the Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains, spans over 38,000 acres and reaches depths of up to nearly 160 feet, according to the Lake Lanier Association. It is known for powerful currents, sudden drop-offs, and submerged debris fields.

More than 200 people have died in Lake Lanier since 1994, fueling long-standing local beliefs that the reservoir may be haunted.

Constructed atop former towns, cemeteries, and forestland, the man-made reservoir has become a focal point for ghost stories and speculation. Among the most cited legends is that of the “Lady of the Lake,” described as a woman in a blue dress seen wandering the shoreline at night, allegedly the spirit of a car crash victim whose body was later discovered in the lake, according to CNN.

The lake’s eerie mystique has made it a cultural touchstone, even appearing as a setting in the Netflix drama Ozark. Though no official explanations tie paranormal activity to any of the more than 200 deaths reported since 1994, the frequency and nature of fatal incidents have reinforced its haunted reputation.

What People Are Saying

Cat Fritts, a friend of Dustin Valencia’s, told WSB-TV: “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.”

What Happens Next

Search efforts are ongoing with both professional and volunteer crews combing the shoreline, lakebed, and surrounding forested areas. Officials are asking the public to be vigilant for any signs of a person on the lake or nearby terrain. As the community continues its efforts, authorities say they will pursue every possible lead in the coming days.