A woman reported missing while kayaking in North Bay was found dead on Friday on Sand Island, east of Ocean Shores.

Genesis Miramontes, 19, an Aberdeen resident, was recovered on Friday after the Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from Life Flight Network, spotted her body, said Undersheriff Kevin Schrader.

Miramontes went missing overnight, and her boyfriend, also an Aberdeen resident, spent time searching the coastline for her before calling 911, Schrader said. The bay’s powerful currents mean that not many kayakers go out there, Schrader said, as many often choose to kayak the region’s rivers.

“They left on the 16th, Wednesday. He loses her sometime in the morning of the 17th or the night of the 16th. He spends all day on the 17th searching for us,” Schrader said. “He calls us in the early, early morning on the 18th, right after midnight.”

Schrader said their phones might not have been working.

“It’s our understanding that both phones ended up dying or were nonfunctioning,” Schrader said.

The Life Flight Network aircrew stationed at Bowerman Airpoprt offered to do a visual sweep, Schrader said.

“They were very eager to assist,” Schrader said. “We’re grateful for the assistance they provided.”

The aircrew rapidly spotted Miramontes’ body on Sand Island on Friday before noon, Schrader said. Life Flight transported personnel from the sheriff’s office and the county coroner’s office to help recover her; Miramontes was dead when responders arrived, Schrader said.

The results and manner of death are pending the results of the autopsy, said Coroner George Kelley in a news release.

“We’re continuing to investigate,” Schrader said.

Life jackets, having a float plan — someone ashore who knows where you’re going and when you plan to return — and keeping a method of communication safe in a waterproof bag can all help prevent tragedy while on the water, Schrader said.

Contact Senior Reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or mlockett@thedailyworld.com.