• Marcelus Angelo Rodriguez disappeared on April 12, and was last seen kayaking on the Willamette River, according to police
• Although his kayak was found about 7.5 miles downstream of Willamette Falls the next day, the 20-year-old man remains missing
• In a statement released by police, his family said they are “devastated by the tragic event” and “would not wish this experience on anyone”

A 20-year-old man disappeared while kayaking in Oregon and now his family is left grappling with grief.

On the evening of Saturday, April 12, Marcelus Angelo Rodriguez arrived in the area while on vacation with his family, then went out kayaking in the Willamette River, the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release.

Shortly before 11:00 p.m. local time, police reported that multiple people called 911 to report “observing a kayaker in distress” just upstream of Willamette Falls. “A short time later, witnesses stated the individual, a lone adult male, was seen going over the falls and did not resurface,” police wrote.

In audio obtained by ABC affiliate KATU and Fox station KMPH-TV, one caller, identified as Carlos Acosta stated that there was an “emergency.”

Over the phone, Acosta could be heard yelling to others at the scene, “Do you guys see him? Put some lights on him!”

After briefly losing sight of the kayaker, Acosta found them again and said that he was “fighting with the water” and “screaming for help.”

Another witness, Nathan Billman, called 911 and reported seeing a man go over the edge of the waterfall and screaming for help, the outlets reported.

The third 911 call came from a woman, Amy Beli, who was on a floating home on the river and encountered the kayaker before his situation turned dangerous.

The woman said she spoke to the man, who did not seem distressed at the time.

The following day, police announced that they had found the man’s kayak near Elk Rock Island, which is about 7.5 river miles away from Willamette Falls. 

Three days later, and despite “extensive efforts” to find him, officials identified the kayaker, who remained missing.

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Police also shared a message on behalf of the Rodriguez family, who said they were “truly devastated” by what happened and “would not wish this experience on anyone.”

“Our family is making every effort to heal and come to terms with our loss,” they added.

As the statement continued, the family urged others to be cautious when going out on the river “as the forces of nature can quickly become overwhelming and deadly.”

“We extend our sincere gratitude to the teams of first responders who rushed to our aid and continue to search for our boy. We also thank the locals and fishermen out on the water who have been watchful and helpful during this difficult time,” the family added. “Marcelus loved God, his family, and nature. We hope that this tragic accident can be avoided in the future for other families. May God keep watch over Marcelus and bless him always.”

In their statement, officials said that the search efforts are ongoing by the Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit, who hope to “bring closure” to the family.