St. Petersburg Police began an investigation after the wife of 71-year-old John Kotulick reported her husband missing after a fishing trip aboard his kayak.
According to Kotulick’s wife, he had gone fishing in a kayak the previous evening, on Friday, November 3, 2023, and did not return. She notified the Police Department at approximately 9:46 a.m. on Saturday, November 4, 2023.
Authorities discovered his vehicle at the Jungle Prada launch. A joint search effort involving the St. Petersburg Police Marine Unit, the Coast Guard, and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s helicopter scoured the water.
His kayak was located near a waterfront residence on Treasure Island, and his body was subsequently found in the water near Treasure Island at 2 p.m.
The cause of death remains undetermined, but there is no suspicion of foul play, according to investigators.