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USA Today
17-05-2025
- USA Today
Body found in Lake Lanier, days after kayaker goes missing, sheriff's office says
Body found in Lake Lanier, days after kayaker goes missing, sheriff's office says Between 1994 and 2024, more than 200 fatalities have occurred at Lake Lanier, which is located in northern Georgia. Show Caption Hide Caption How to report a missing person Here's how to take action when a person goes missing. Authorities in Georgia have recovered a body from Lake Lanier, and while they have identified the individual, the discovery comes days after a kayaker went missing at the lake. The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office announced the recovery of the body on the afternoon of May 16, and the update came hours after the kayak and paddle, believed to belong to Dustin Valencia, 43, were reportedly found. According to the sheriff's office, Valencia, a father of five children, went missing on May 14 when he took his family's Intex inflatable kayak on the largest lake in Georgia, which contains over 38,000 acres of water and over 690 miles of shoreline. In the May 16 afternoon update on the search, the sheriff's office said that although the body was recovered from the lake, no positive identification has been made. The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office did not immediately return a request from USA TODAY for an update on May 17. Valencia was believed not to have a life vest, but he did have one plastic oar, the sheriff's office said. When Valancia's kayak was found, the seats were "not inflated or installed," WALB reported, citing the sheriff's office. What happened before Dustin Valencia disappeared? Valencia's wife, Jennifer Valencia, reported her husband missing on May 14, telling deputies that their children were the last to see him after he left earlier in the day to have their vehicle serviced, according to an incident report obtained by USA TODAY. Valencia returned home that day around 1 p.m. before leaving in their black 2006 Honda Accord, his wife told deputies, per the incident report. When Valencia did not pick up the couple's children from school at 3 p.m., his wife tried to call his phone, but received no response. Using the "Find My iPhone" app, Jennifer Valencia tracked her husband's last known location, however, he wasn't at that location when she arrived to look for him. At this point, she contacted law enforcement to file a missing persons report, the incident report reads. Valencia's wife confirmed that he does not suffer from any known medical conditions or mental health issues, and that there were no known threats of self-harm. She stated that her husband usually communicates with her regularly and always keeps her informed, the incident report continued. While canvassing the area Valencia was last known to be, deputies found the family's black Honda Accord parked at Little Ridge Park on Lanier Beach South Road. Assuming Valencia may have gone kayaking, deputies searched the nearby water and walked surrounding trails, but they could not locate him, the incident report says. Photos: Tornadoes, severe weather kills at least 23: See photos of damage in Missouri, other states Deaths at Lake Lanier since 1994 reach over 200 While the body has not been identified, it signals another death at Lake Lanier, where between 1994 and 2024, more than 200 fatalities have occurred, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Law Enforcement Division. Lake Lanier drownings, deaths (2018-2024) 2018: 8 drownings, 11 total deaths 2019: 8 drownings, 11 total deaths 2020: 7 drownings, 10 total deaths 2021: 4 drownings, 9 total deaths 2022: 6 drownings, 7 total deaths 2023: 13 drownings, 13 total deaths 2024: 3 drownings, 4 total deaths Total: 49 drownings, 65 total deaths Jonathan Limehouse covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at JLimehouse@
Daily Record
17-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Amazon drops 'sturdy' £108 paddling pool that 'lasts for years' down to £60
'Definitely buy this pool for the best summer ever, so impressed!' While Scots bask in the glorious sunshine, many are looking for ways to keep cool without having to head back indoors. While fans can be effective, sometimes all people want to do is submerge themselves in water. Thankfully, Amazon has just launched their Home and Garden Week shopping event, which means there will be plenty of products that will keep Scots cool in the heat for a bargain price. The sale started today, May 14, and will continue until Tuesday, May 20. One cracking deal we found is on the Intex Rectangular Pool, which has received a massive 44 per cent discount. Normally retailing for £107.99, outdoor lovers can grab this pool for only £59.99 in a limited time deal. Made with a puncture resistant three-ply material, the Intex pool is the perfect addition to a garden party or family gathering. As temperatures continue to soar, users will be able to keep cool while still getting that much needed Vitamin D. With dimensions of 22L x 1.5W x 0.6H in metres, the pool also comes with four corner seats that can each hold up to 70kg in weight for added comfort. Shoppers will also be able to completely submerge themselves in the pool as it is said to hold up to 1662L of water. With a sturdy zinc-plated and powder-coated frame that is rust-resistant, this pool is said to be 'easy to assemble' and should take up to 30 minutes to fully construct. For many afternoons splashing away in the glorious weather, this pool promises to give any household the 'best summer ever'. For those looking for something inflatable, Amazon is also selling the Duerer Inflatable Swimming Pool for £79.99. Currently one of Amazon's top choices, this family-sized pool can take 162 gallons of water and can be inflated in three to four minutes. A bit more on the pricier side but still a bargain in comparison to other models, Argos is selling the Bestway 9ft Rectangular Paddling Pool for £150. Featuring a corrosion-resistant steel frame, the pool is said to take 40 minutes to set up. However, if shoppers are interested in the Intex Pool, they aren't the only ones. Currently the pool has an impressive 4.6 star rating from nearly 30,000 shoppers and over 400 people have snapped it up ahead of the heatwave. One happy shopper wrote: "Fantastic and very sturdy pool, I would highly recommend this pool for anyone who is a bit restricted for space and it's probably the smallest metal frame pool avaliable. The sides are sturdy and thick so no leaks so far. Looks great in our garden." While another added: "This pool is so much bigger than I thought!!! I might have to buy steps to fit into it properly it's so deep! Amazing quality product and such a good price! Very easy to assemble took me and my partner around 1 hour to put this together. Will take around 4 hours to fill! Definitely buy this pool for the best summer ever so impressed!" However, a few shoppers had some issues with the pool, as one person wrote: "It's a great size does take a while to fill but that's expected given the size. The only fault if that one of the poles is rusty which means I probably won't be able to use it next year I will contact the seller to see if they can send replacement poles." Another reviewer also grumbled: "The pool is good but it is a serious failure in the emptying process as the hole to drain it is about 20cm above the bottom of the pool, requiring a bucket and mop to remove all the water." However, these issues weren't experienced by all shoppers, as a five-star reviewer said: "This pool has no signs of wear and should last for years to come. We pack it up each autumn and it does take about an hour to do from start to finish. "The kids love it and when paired with 4 solar mats and water pump to push that hot water into the pool it raises the temperature up by about 4c. We get about 60 uses out of the pool during the summer and during those "2 weeks a year of real summer" the kids are in them every day after school ." A sixth customer also chimed in: "Couldn't fault it quite frankly. Excellent quality, easy to assemble, looks the part, strong, non slip base, nice and deep and fits our garden a treat. We got rid of our round inflatable Polygroup pool in replacement of this and it was definitely the right decision. Very happy indeed." For those who are looking for a pool to add some extra fun to their sunny afternoons, they can click HERE to buy the Intex Rectangular Pool. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. 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USA Today
16-05-2025
- USA Today
Father of 5 now missing after kayaking on the infamous Lake Lanier
Father of 5 now missing after kayaking on the infamous Lake Lanier The kayaker's wife reported him missing after he did not pick their children up after school, and failed to answer his phone. Show Caption Hide Caption How to report a missing person Here's how to take action when a person goes missing. The kayak and paddle of a man who went missing while at Lake Lanier in Georgia have been recovered, but he is nowhere to be found, local authorities said. The search for Dustin Valencia, 43, is ongoing after he went missing on May 14 when he took his family's Intex inflatable kayak on the largest lake in Georgia, which contains more than 38,000 acres of water and over 690 miles of shoreline, the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office said. On May 16, the sheriff's office said Valencia's yellow and gray kayak, along with a paddle, were found by a citizen on May 14. The citizen reported the discovery to the agency on the night of May 15. Despite the kayak and paddle being retrieved, the sheriff's office said Valencia has not been found. The seats in Valencia's kayak were also "not inflated or installed," WALB reported, citing the sheriff's office. On the day of his disappearance, he did not have a life vest and was believed to have one plastic oar, according to the sheriff's office. It is unclear if the life vest or the plastic oar has been recovered. Dustin Valencia's children were the last people to see him alive According to an incident report obtained by USA TODAY, Valencia's wife, Jennifer Valencia, reported him missing on May 14 and told deputies that their children were the last to see her husband after he left earlier in the day to have their vehicle serviced. Jennifer Valencia then told deputies that her husband returned home around 1 p.m. that day before leaving in their black 2006 Honda Accord. When Valencia failed to pick up the couple's children from school at 3 p.m., his wife attempted to contact him by phone but received no response, the incident report says. Using the "Find My iPhone" app, Jennifer Valencia tracked her husband's last known location, however, he was not at that location when she arrived to search for him. At that point, she contacted law enforcement to file a missing persons report, the incident report reads. Jennifer Valencia confirmed that her husband does not suffer from any known medical conditions or mental health issues, and that there were no known threats of self-harm. She stated that her husband typically communicates with her regularly and always keeps her informed, according to the incident report. While canvassing the area where Valencia was last known to be, deputies located the family's black Honda Accord parked at Little Ridge Park on Lanier Beach South Road. Assuming Valencia may have gone kayaking, deputies searched the nearby water and walked surrounding trails, but they could not locate him, the incident report says. More news: Fire decimates Nottoway Plantation in Louisiana: What we know so far More than 200 people have died at Lake Lanier since 1994 While the search for Valencia continues, the dangerousness of Lake Lanier comes to mind, as between 1994 and 2024, more than 200 people have died at the reservoir, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Law Enforcement Division. In 2024, there were three drownings, 30 total boating incidents, 21 total injuries, and one boating fatality at Lake Lanier, the Georgia DNR's data shows. Suicides or medical events, including cardiac arrest and strokes, are not counted in any of the reported data. Lake Lanier drownings, deaths (2018-2024) 2018: 8 drownings, 11 total deaths 2019: 8 drownings, 11 total deaths 2020: 7 drownings, 10 total deaths 2021: 4 drownings, 9 total deaths 2022: 6 drownings, 7 total deaths 2023: 13 drownings, 13 total deaths 2024: 3 drownings, 4 total deaths Total: 49 drownings, 65 total deaths Jonathan Limehouse covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at JLimehouse@
Newsweek
16-05-2025
- Newsweek
Kayak, Paddle of Missing Atlanta Dad of 5, Dustin Valencia, Found as Search Continues
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. 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. File photo of boats floating in Lake Lanier in northern Georgia. File photo of boats floating in Lake Lanier in northern Georgia. rodclementphotography/Getty Images 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.
Indianapolis Star
16-05-2025
- Indianapolis Star
Father of 5 now missing after kayaking on the infamous Lake Lanier
The kayak and paddle of a man who went missing while at Lake Lanier in Georgia have been recovered, but he is nowhere to be found, local authorities said. The search for Dustin Valencia, 43, is ongoing after he went missing on May 14 when he took his family's Intex inflatable kayak on the largest lake in Georgia, which contains more than 38,000 acres of water and over 690 miles of shoreline, the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office said. On May 16, the sheriff's office said Valencia's yellow and gray kayak, along with a paddle, were found by a citizen on May 14. The citizen reported the discovery to the agency on the night of May 15. Despite the kayak and paddle being retrieved, the sheriff's office said Valencia has not been found. The seats in Valencia's kayak were also "not inflated or installed," WALB reported, citing the sheriff's office. On the day of his disappearance, he did not have a life vest and was believed to have one plastic oar, according to the sheriff's office. It is unclear if the life vest or the plastic oar has been recovered. According to an incident report obtained by USA TODAY, Valencia's wife, Jennifer Valencia, reported him missing on May 14 and told deputies that their children were the last to see her husband after he left earlier in the day to have their vehicle serviced. Jennifer Valencia then told deputies that her husband returned home around 1 p.m. that day before leaving in their black 2006 Honda Accord. When Valencia failed to pick up the couple's children from school at 3 p.m., his wife attempted to contact him by phone but received no response, the incident report says. Using the "Find My iPhone" app, Jennifer Valencia tracked her husband's last known location, however, he was not at that location when she arrived to search for him. At that point, she contacted law enforcement to file a missing persons report, the incident report reads. Jennifer Valencia confirmed that her husband does not suffer from any known medical conditions or mental health issues, and that there were no known threats of self-harm. She stated that her husband typically communicates with her regularly and always keeps her informed, according to the incident report. While canvassing the area where Valencia was last known to be, deputies located the family's black Honda Accord parked at Little Ridge Park on Lanier Beach South Road. Assuming Valencia may have gone kayaking, deputies searched the nearby water and walked surrounding trails, but they could not locate him, the incident report says. More news: Fire decimates Nottoway Plantation in Louisiana: What we know so far While the search for Valencia continues, the dangerousness of Lake Lanier comes to mind, as between 1994 and 2024, more than 200 people have died at the reservoir, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Law Enforcement Division. In 2024, there were three drownings, 30 total boating incidents, 21 total injuries, and one boating fatality at Lake Lanier, the Georgia DNR's data shows. Suicides or medical events, including cardiac arrest and strokes, are not counted in any of the reported data. Lake Lanier drownings, deaths (2018-2024)
