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Missing man found dead in creek; boating accident suspected

Posted at 2:53 PM, Nov 30, 2014
and last updated 2014-11-30 14:53:52-05

VALLEY TOWNSHIP, Mich. — The body of Kyle Shinske was found by Allegan County Sheriff’s department dive team early Sunday morning in Swan Creek.

The sheriff’s department had initially responded to a report of a suspicious situation after an area resident called police about a vehicle that had been left abandoned with a kayak rack and lone paddle laying nearby the vehicle at the Swan Creek Highbanks.  The caller described not seeing anybody near the vehicle at the time of the report.

After an initial investigation into the Shinske’s whereabouts, they found that he was reported to have gone out hunting and fishing in his kayak early Saturday.  An initial search of the area was conducted between the Highbanks unit of Swan Creek and M-89. Michigan State Police assisted in the search via helicopter while dive teams searched the water.

Around 8:00 a.m. Sunday, property belonging to Shinske was located by the sheriff’s department. Shortly after, dive team members found his body.  He was not found to be wearing any sort of personal flotation device.

A preliminary investigation indicates drowning due to a boating accident as the cause of death,l but the incident will remain under investigation pending an autopsy and forensic examination.