25-year-old man found dead after going missing at Lake Waccamaw

LAKE WACCAMAW, NC (WWAY) — The body of a 25-year-old South Carolina man who was reported missing after his kayak was found abandoned at Lake Waccamaw has been recovered, authorities said.

The body of a 25-year-old South Carolina man who went missing while kayaking at Lake Waccamaw was recovered Tuesday, authorities said.

Erick Ross, of South Carolina, was visiting family at their new home when he went kayaking with his brother Monday afternoon. Ross was last seen at Lynn’s Place, a waterfront convenience store, before boaters found his empty kayak about 300 yards from a boat landing around 4:45 p.m. They checked the kayak, found his cellphone and other belongings inside, and called 911.

A search involving about 20 agencies began Monday and resumed Tuesday morning after being paused overnight. Ross’ body was recovered around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, according to North Carolina State Parks and the Town of Lake Waccamaw.

Columbus County Sheriff Bill Rogers said a North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission boat equipped with sophisticated sonar located Ross in the water.

“We called the wildlife in, the big boat you seen that’s got a very sophisticated sonar system on it,” Rogers said. “It scans 180 feet.”

Rogers said crews used a grid pattern to narrow the search area, and the sonar-equipped boat located Ross within about five minutes. Crews also used an underwater drone and a cadaver dog during the search.

The search also highlighted the challenges of navigating Lake Waccamaw, where water depths can change quickly, and weather conditions can shift with little warning.

“People underestimate Lake Waccamaw because it goes from anywhere from 3 to 4 feet to all of a sudden you’re in 6 to 8 feet of water. There’s the channels that run through it that go to the river that people don’t know they’re there,” said Lake Waccamaw Fire Rescue Chief Chase Lancaster.

Lancaster said weather can make conditions even more unpredictable.

“It can go from smooth as glass to the ocean in a matter of 30 seconds.”

Julie Monroe, owner of Dale’s Seafood, said she has experienced those conditions firsthand while operating a large fishing boat on the lake.

“I’ve been out there before in a pretty big fishing boat before, and a big storm came up, and it was all we could do to get in and just bumping and it’s hard, so I can’t even imagine being in a small kayak,” said Monroe.

Officials have not released additional details about how Ross entered the water or what led to his drowning. The investigation remains ongoing.

The Town of Lake Waccamaw extended its condolences to Ross’ family and thanked the agencies involved in the search.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult and tragic time,” Mayor Jacobs said. “We ask that everyone please respect the family’s privacy as they navigate this heartbreaking situation.”

The town said no additional information is available at this time.