ELLSWORTH COUNTY — On Saturday, June 10, at approximately 6:28 p.m., the Ellsworth County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a potential kayak-related drowning at Kanopolis State Lake.

Deputies from the Ellsworth County Sheriff’s Office and partnering agencies from the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism; the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Marquette EMS; McPherson Fire Department-Swift Water Rescue; and the Saline County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Patrol & Rescue Squad responded to the area.

A body identified as that of Brannon Paul Curiel, 47, of Hutchinson, was recovered from the water and subsequently pronounced deceased by the Ellsworth County Coroner. 

The fatality remains under investigation.