Second missing kayaker found deceased

KLCC | By Brian Bull

Published April 29, 2022 at 7:45 PM PDT

Mariana Dukes, whose body was found today by search crews.

The body of a second kayaker has been found this week. After a five-day search, Benton County authorities say they found 23-year-old Mariana Dukes 75 yards downriver of a Lane County fish ladder today.

Dukes and her kayaking companion, 26-year-old Joseph Bendix, went down the Long Tom River Saturday. When they were late arriving at Monroe City Park, a relative called dispatchers.

Bendix was found three miles south of Monroe Monday. Both he and Dukes were from Eugene.

Benton County Sheriff Jef Van Arsdall thanked all the agencies and volunteers involved in the search, and asks that the families be allowed to grieve in peace.

Disasters & Accidents

Brian Bull

Brian Bull is an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Oregon, and remains a contributor to the KLCC news department. He began working with KLCC in June 2016. In his 27+ years as a public media journalist, he's worked at NPR, Twin Cities Public Television, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Wisconsin Public Radio, and ideastream in Cleveland. His reporting has netted dozens of accolades, including four national Edward R. Murrow Awards (22 regional), the Ohio Associated Press' Best Reporter Award, Best Radio Reporter from the Native American Journalists Association, and the PRNDI/NEFE Award for Excellence in Consumer Finance Reporting.

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