Nonprofit’s Sonar Technology Locates Remains at 420 Feet, Ending Months-Long Search
Recovery Details
On September 7, 2025, Bruce’s Legacy, a nonprofit specializing in underwater search and recovery, located a body believed to be Wesley Dopkins in Jackson Lake at approximately 420 feet deep, with successful recovery on September 8. Dopkins, a 43-year-old from St. Paul, Minnesota, went missing on June 15, 2024, while paddling a foldable Oru kayak from Colter Bay toward Waterfalls Canyon in Grand Teton National Park. He was not wearing a life jacket, and high winds separated him from his companion, who reported him missing at Leeks Marina. His kayak, paddle, and dry bag were found floating near Moose Island. The Teton County Coroner’s Office will confirm identification, but the remains’ characteristics and location strongly suggest they are Dopkins’. The National Park Service (NPS) credits Bruce’s Legacy’s advanced sonar technology for this challenging mission at depths near Jackson Lake’s maximum of 438 feet.
Search Efforts and Bruce’s Legacy
Following Dopkins’ disappearance, NPS rangers, with Teton County Search and Rescue, conducted an extensive multi-agency search using boats, ground teams, dog teams, and a helicopter, finding no trace beyond his belongings. Bruce’s Legacy joined the effort in October 2024, hired by Dopkins’ family, and returned in September 2025, leveraging their expertise in sonar and deep-water recovery to locate the remains. The organization, founded by Bruce Parker to honor his brother Keith, has a history of successful recoveries, including finding 17 missing persons in Wisconsin alone since 2014. The NPS expressed deep gratitude for their dedication, which provided closure to Dopkins’ family, as noted by his mother Kathryn in July 2024.
Life Jacket Safety Reminder
The NPS emphasizes that wearing a properly fitted life jacket is critical for water safety, even for experienced paddlers like Dopkins, an avid adventurer. His kayak capsized in 25 mph winds and 45°F water, conditions that highlight the risks of not wearing a personal flotation device. This tragedy echoes other regional safety concerns, such as Teton County’s wildfire preparedness and bear safety initiatives.
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