Update:
On 4-5-2020 a citizen contacted the Cowlitz County Dive Team with information that he had noted on his sonar while on Silver Lake. The Cowlitz County Dive Team along with a Sheriff's Office boat were deployed. A body was recovered and is believed to be that of Robert Chick 28-yoa of Castle Rock. The Coroner's Office responded and will be confirming the identity of the subject as well as the cause and manner of death. Please note the prior release was in error in regard to the Fire District involved. It was Cowlitz Fire District 3 from Toutle, Washington.
Sheriff Brad Thurman
On the evening of 4-3-2020 Stephanie Green 47-yoa of Kelso and Robert Chick 28-yoa of Castle Rock launched their kayaks from the Kerr Road boat ramp on Silver Lake located approx. 8 miles east of Castle Rock, Washington. They were accompanied by 2 dogs and paddled to the tip of Treehouse Island where they tried to land unsuccessfully. They decided to paddle back to the boat ramp and were doing so, now after dark, when Green capsized. Chick began to tow Green but possibly due to wind, were unable to make headway back to the Kerr Road boat ramp. They saw lights from a private dock on the north shore which they re-directed to. While in route, Chick capsized as well. Green reported that Chick attempted to use a kayak for floatation before he disappeared from sight. Green was able to make the 911 call for help while clinging to a kayak.
Cowlitz Fire District 6 from Toutle launched a boat and rescued Green. She was transported to St. John Hospital in Longview, where she was treated and released. Cowlitz County Sheriff Deputies along with Cowlitz Dive Rescue responded and commenced a search. Searchers found the kayaks and marked a debris field in the area. Chick was not located during the search. The dogs were recovered from the island and they were turned over to the Humane Society.
On 4-4-2020 Deputies, Cowlitz Fire District 6 and Cowlitz Dive Rescue returned to the lake to resume the search. Using several boats and sonar they again searched the area. Several anomalies were observed and checked by divers, but Chick was not located. Green and several family members were present and Green assisted searchers in directing them to where they had been kayaking the previous evening. A local helicopter pilot, Tim Brown, assisted by flying over the lake. The water is about 51 degrees and visibility very poor, eliminating the possibility of a visual underwater search.
Deputies will make periodic checks of the area in an attempt to locate Chick. We appreciate the local community for their assistance and support of the searchers.
Sheriff Brad Thurman