PLYMOUTH, Wis. — The body of Kevan McClintock was recovered from the Mullet River in Plymouth, police confirmed Saturday. The 63-year-old is presumed to have jumped into the fast-moving river after his dog early Thursday morning.
Police say a group of kayackers consisting of family and friends contacted authorities after discovering the body before 11:30 a.m. on Saturday.
"For them to locate their loved one in a larger area of water outside of the initial search area was nothing short of amazing, and humbling," Plymouth Police said.
"We just had that gut, gut instinct that he was, we need to keep looking, we need to keep searching," said John Saladini, a member of the search group. "Because that was one of Kevan's things, never give up, and we didn't."
A call for a water recovery on the Mullet River came in around 2:30 p.m. Friday. Authorities said that McClintock was last seen by the river in downtown Plymouth about 12:30 a.m. Thursday.
McClintock, a resident of the town of Greenbush was reported missing at 1 p.m. Thursday. His dog was found by a friend.
No one saw McClintock enter the water, and initially it was presumed he went to a local tavern, police said.
"Kevin was a character, he was always up for a good party, and you know, he would help anybody that needed help," Saladini said.
#BREAKING: friends of 63-year-old Kevan McClintock of Plymouth tell me they’ve found his body in the Mullet River. Not far from where the search ended last night. Here he is on the left with one of the friends. pic.twitter.com/ekCOODsTLO
— Shaun Gallagher (@ShaunGalNews) October 5, 2019
The friend who found McClintock's dog became concerned because he never went to a tavern and his car was found downtown.
Sheboygan County Sheriff's Drone Team and a helicopter from the Wisconsin National Guard were requested to help in the search efforts.
Saladino said McClintock had so many friends that he called family, and he is survived by a wife, two kids and siblings.
"I'm humbled to be part of this community in Plymouth," Saladini said. " Whatever the case may be this community really pulls together sand shows their support and helps in any way they can."
