New details released following search for missing kayaker found dead

BARRINGTON, R.I. (WLNE) — New details have been released following the search for a kayaker found dead in the waters of Narragansett Bay near Barrington Town Beach on Sunday.

Barrington Police found the body of the kayaker at 9:29 p.m. about five feet from the shore, according to Michael Healey of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.

Police said they had been looking for Timothy Chant, a 60-year-old Warwick resident, who was last seen launching his boat from Conimicut Point in Warwick around noon on Sunday.

Healey said the DEM took a 911 call at 5:13 p.m. Sunday from the Warwick Marine Task Force concerning a missing kayaker.

Multiple other agencies responded, as rescue crews conducted shoreline and water searches in Hyde Hole throughout the evening, using boats and a helicopter in the search effort.

Healey said a kayak, determined to belong to the missing person, was found partly submerged about 30 feet offshore at the Barrington Beach at 6:43 p.m.

ABC 6 News crews observed officials retrieving a kayak from the water near Rhode Island Country Club on Barrington Beach around 7 p.m.

Crews retrieved a kayak near Rhode Island Country Club on Barrington Beach (WLNE)

A family member of the victim called the victim’s phone using a find-your-phone app, and first responders were able to coordinate the ping from that call to the exact location where the victim was found, Healey explained.

Officials confirmed the kayaker dead on-scene.

Healey said weather conditions Sunday night were very breezy and waters were choppy between Conimicut and Rumstick Point in Barrington.

Water temperatures were in the high-30s, low-40s, Healey added, saying the victim was wearing a life jacket but also heavy clothes.

Warwick police notified the family of the death but are yet to officially identify the victim.