National

Kayaker’s body believed to have been found after vanishing at sea, WA cops say

Ty Coone’s family and friends have held a memorial for him since he vanished weeks ago off Washington.
Ty Coone’s family and friends have held a memorial for him since he vanished weeks ago off Washington. Screengrab from GoFundMe

A missing kayaker’s body is believed to have been found in Washington weeks after he vanished at sea, deputies and news outlets reported.

A body was discovered June 1 off Dungeness, KIRO reported from the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities said they believe they found Ty Coone, but they are waiting on dental comparisons before it’s officially confirmed, the news outlet reported.

Coone called 911 at about 3 p.m. May 13 to report himself drowning, McClatchy News reported.

Deputies said they tracked his phone’s GPS to the Strait of Juan de Fuca, north of Cline Spit County Park, where it’s believed he had been fishing, deputies said.

Rescuers, including the U.S. Coast Guard, used a thermal imaging drone to search for him, but only his kayak, life vest and paddle were found, deputies said.

Ty Coone has been missing since May 13 when he called for help from the Salish Sea, deputies said.
Ty Coone has been missing since May 13 when he called for help from the Salish Sea, deputies said. Clallam County Sheriff’s Office

The search was called off the next day at about 10 a.m., deputies said.

After his disappearance, Coone’s family and friends held a memorial for him. They are also making a custom bench to put near the water where he went out on his kayak.

“Ty was one of a kind — full of life, laughter and love. From dirtbike tracks to bonfire nights, he brought people together and made every moment unforgettable,” his friend Bryson Morris said in a GoFundMe post.

“The way you smiled on your worst days made me stronger. I will always love coming home from work and seeing you in my driveway, ready to hang out. Thank you so much for matching my energy and being my best friend,” Elandon Washburn said in a Facebook post about Coone.

The Strait of Juan de Fuca separates Washington from Canada, and it’s part of the Salish Sea.

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This story was originally published June 5, 2025 at 11:12 AM with the headline "Kayaker’s body believed to have been found after vanishing at sea, WA cops say."

Helena Wegner
McClatchy DC
Helena Wegner is a McClatchy National Real-Time Reporter covering the state of Washington and the western region. She’s a journalism graduate from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. She’s based in Phoenix.
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