SALEM – A woman accidentally drowned while kayaking in waters in Minto-Brown Island Park sometime last week, deputies said.
Search and rescuers found the body of 59-year-old Sharon Mangan Saturday around 10:20 a.m. after discovering her kayak Friday night, said Lt. Steve Birr with the Marion County Sheriff's Office.
Mangan reportedly drowned after her kayak capsized in a slough in a remote area off the Willamette River. The water was very cold and authorities said Mangan was relatively inexperienced at kayaking.
Authorities said she was wearing a life jacket.
Officials spotted Mangan’s truck in the park on Tuesday and she was reported missing on Thursday, Birr said.
Mangan worked at Oregon State Hospital as a Mental Health Therapy Technician.
"Sharon worked at OSH since May 2009, and was well-liked by her co-workers and patients. Hers is a significant loss to the OSH family, as it is to her own family. To all of her co-workers and friends, I extend my most sincere condolences on your loss," said OHS Superintendent Greg Roberts in a statement to KGW.
