An autopsy is scheduled on the kayaker whose remains were recovered Monday, but it could be several weeks before the cause of death is known.
Franklin County Coroner Will Harrod said he will conduct an autopsy on John Imes, 64, of Louisville, today at the state medical lab in Frankfort. He said it could be up to four weeks before the cause of death is available.
Imes disappeared on March 4 after witnesses saw him struggling in his overturned kayak near the Singing Bridge.
Imes, an experienced kayaker, was not wearing a life preserver. He was missing for almost three weeks until his remains were recovered Monday at around 1 p.m.
Emergency Management Director Deron Rambo said his remains were recovered about 100 yards downstream from where Imes went missing. He said a boater spotted something in the river, and emergency responders discovered Imes’ body.
“I’m very thankful the family can have some peace of mind,” Harrod said. “I know this has really been tough for them.”
In the days after Imes vanished, dozens of professional and volunteer crews searched between the Singing Bridge and Lock 4. The search included special underwater sonar units and dog teams, and Rambo said he appreciated their support.
The search surface area was expanded last week to include almost 16 miles of the Kentucky River from the Singing Bridge to the Elkhorn Creek near the Owen County line.
Dangerous river conditions temporarily halted the search for several days last week.
Rambo said it’s possible the remains were submerged under the boat dock near the Singing Bridge – an area divers searched frequently. However, the conditions were difficult because visibility was low and there are a lot of rocks and debris under the boat dock, Rambo said.
“We had a feeling he was still somewhere in the area,” he said. “But there were so many variables.”
An increase in the temperature of the river likely caused Imes’ remains to float to the surface Monday, Rambo said. The water temperate was in the high 40s Monday and that could have allowed the decomposition process to begin, he said.
Rambo said the family had planned to hold memorial services soon.
“We wanted to resolve this for them,” Rambo said.