Salem, Kayaker's Body Recovered After Accidental Drowning

Police say there were no indications that her death was anything but a tragic accident.

Team recovers the body of kayaker Sharon Mangan

(SALEM) - The body of Sharon Mangan, 59, was located on the edge of a slough at Minto-Brown Island Park this morning at about 10:20. Ms. Mangan, a resident of Salem, was reported missing to the Salem Police Department Thursday evening. She was last been seen alone Tuesday at the park with her kayak. Mangan was an employee at the Oregon State Hospital.

Her kayak was located Friday morning, adrift in the slough. The boat was full of water consistent with having been capsized according to members of the Salem Fire Department Water Rescue Team, who recovered the kayak and began a search of the slough.

The Oregon National Guard flew over the area Friday afternoon in a helicopter, but were unable to locate Ms. Mangan. The Newberg Fire Department Dive Team also searched a section of the slough.

The search resumed this morning with 22 members of the Marion County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue Team. They searched the brush adjacent to the slough and two additional members of the team used a cadaver dog to search the water, where the body of Sharon Mangan was located.

Sharon Mangan had only been involved in kayaking for the past six months, according to a press release issued by Salem Police and had never taken any formal instruction.

She was wearing a life vest at the time of the accident.

It is reported that she had many friends in Salem and through her employment as a nurse at the Oregon State Hospital.

Firefighters say there were no indications that her death was anything but a tragic accident.

Jerry Freeman is part of a new generation of dedicated news photographers who entered the Internet news industry as a second career. He shares in common with many people who fulfilled their life dream of becoming a visual journalist. Joining the Navy at an early age, and the Oregon Army Guard a few years later, Jerry has a wide range of life experiences. He describes himself as “a truck driver with a new found passion to bear witness to the world’s events.”

Teaming up with Salem-News.com he embarked on a new career as a video news photographer and reporter. Jerry's quick exhibition of natural talent and ability to shoot breaking news led to his becoming a published member of the Salem-News.com team.

Initial report: Body of Missing Kayaker Recovered This Morning