On Aug. 3, at approximately 3:45 a.m., Alaska State Troopers received a missing person report from the Cordova Harbor. Witnesses identified the person as 24-year-old Kaden Westcott of Arizona, they reported hearing a splash in an area where several of Westcott’s personal belongings were later found floating in the water.

Troopers, along with officers from the Cordova Police Department and members of the Cordova Volunteer Fire Department, responded to the harbor and began searching the area. Initial efforts to locate Westcott were unsuccessful.

Fire department personnel later deployed a remotely operated underwater vehicle to search beneath the surface. The vehicle located Westcott, deceased, approximately 16 feet under the surface.

The remotely operated vehicle was then used to assist in bringing Westcott’s body to the surface.

Authorities have notified his next of kin. Westcott’s remains were transported to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for examination.

The circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation.