Two men who headed out for a night paddle on Shinnecock Bay on Tuesday never made it back, and their bodies were later found washed ashore near Hampton Bays early Wednesday, according to Southampton Town Police. The pair had launched from the old south Ponquogue pier and were reported missing by worried family members when they failed to return.
How the search unfolded
Investigators say the men set off in a double-occupant kayak at around 8 p.m. Tuesday. When they did not come home, relatives called Southampton Town Police at about 1:29 a.m., triggering a large-scale overnight search. Multiple town and state agencies were sent to the area as the search widened, according to Dan's Papers.
Where they were found
At roughly 4 a.m., searchers discovered one man washed ashore at the northwest corner of the Ponquogue Bridge. He was later identified as 25-year-old Daniel Villa of Southampton. Shortly afterward, the second victim, identified as 43-year-old Juan Carlos Penaranda of Quogue, was found along the bulkhead north of Amalfi Coastal Kitchen & Cocktails on Lighthouse Road. Both men were pronounced dead at the scenes, per News 12 Long Island.
Response and next steps
Southampton Town Marine Patrol, New York State Police, the U.S. Coast Guard, Southampton Village Police and local ambulance crews all took part in the search and recovery operation. The Suffolk County Medical Examiner's Office will determine the causes of death, and police are asking anyone with information to contact the Southampton Town Police Detective Division, according to ABC7 New York. “Always make sure you have a personal flotation device, and keep an eye on the weather and sea conditions,” a local boater told ABC7 as a caution to anyone heading out on the water.
A familiar risk on Shinnecock Bay
Shinnecock Bay has seen similar fatal cases in recent months, a grim reminder of how quickly conditions can turn on the East End; a comparable recovery last November was documented in the same waters. Video coverage of the latest incident is available from CBS News New York, and local officials say the investigation is ongoing.
