Missing kayaker found dead in West Grand Traverse Bay

Emergency crews found the body of a missing 26-year-old kayaker Wednesday morning, a day after his kayak overturned off Peshawbestown.

The Leelanau County Sheriff's Office identified him as James Arthur Bottorff III of Wilmington, North Carolina, who is originally from the Leelanau County area. A 911 caller reported an overturned kayak near Sunrise Beach in Peshawbestown at about 5 p.m. Tuesday, and emergency crews arrived within three minutes, the sheriff's office said.

Witnesses told authorities they last saw Bottorff about 200 yards offshore. Crews searched until about 8:45 p.m., when water conditions and poor visibility made it unsafe to continue. The search resumed Wednesday morning, and crews found Bottorff shortly after 11 a.m.

The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, which tracks drownings on the five lakes, had counted 73 Great Lakes drownings in 2026 as of Sept. 14, including 41 in Lake Michigan.

Michigan life jacket rules for kayaks and canoes

Michigan requires every vessel, including a kayak or canoe, to carry a life jacket or other personal flotation device for each person on board. Under the Michigan Department of Natural Resources life jacket rules, a kayak or canoe may carry either a wearable life jacket or a throwable device, such as a cushion, for each person.

Get help from Michigan Legal Center

Michigan Legal Center: the Law Offices of Christopher J. Trainor & Associates handles wrongful death and serious injury claims for families across Michigan. If someone you love died or was seriously hurt in a boating or paddling accident, contact Michigan Legal Center to ask whether the matter falls within its practice areas.

There is no attorney fee unless money is recovered for you. Case costs and fee terms are governed by the written fee agreement.

Michigan Legal Center also explains how Michigan personal injury claims work.