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Missing Kayaker Found Dead in Tomales Bay

Written by Joe BurnPublished Feb. 02, 2023 • 4:39pm
Tomales Bay is seen from Tom's Point. | Yalonda M. James/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images

A California man who went missing in Tomales Bay while kayaking has been named as 39-year-old Clinton Yoshio Koga by the Marin County Sheriff's Office.

Koga reportedly entered the Tomales Bay on a kayak from the Lawson’s Landing campground to retrieve a crabbing cage after fishing with friends on Jan. 27.

At approximately 6:29 p.m., Koga’s friend noticed they couldn't see his kayak from the shore. He was reported missing to the Marin County Sheriff’s Office while his friends searched the bay waters for him.

An intensive search was completed by multiple first responders including the Marin County Fire Department, the Marin County Sheriff’s Office sUAS and dive teams, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office's helicopter and the United States Coast Guard. Despite extensive search efforts the subject was not located, and search efforts were suspended, the sheriff's office said.

READ MORE: Two Men Found Dead at Home in Popular Bay Area Vacation Spot

Koga, from Brentwood, was recovered by a volunteer aquatic search group Wednesday at around 4:15 p.m.

California Recovery Divers found his body approximately 100 yards from the shore of Lawson’s Landing.

He was transported to the Lawson’s Landing campground where his death was confirmed by paramedics.

The volunteer recovery group had been searching the Tomales Bay since early Wednesday morning.

A forensic postmortem examination with routine toxicology testing is being completed Friday, this will determine the cause of his death.

"The Marin County Sheriff's Office and personnel of the Coroner Division offer our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Koga," a press release stated. "And our heartfelt gratitude to all searchers including the California Recovery Divers group bringing Mr. Koga home to his family."

Joe Burn can be reached at jburn@sfstandard.com


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