N.C. Wildlife officials identified the kayaker who drowned Wednesday afternoon as 40-year-old Joshua Craig Scribben.
The kayak was found empty on the shore shortly before searchers recovered his body, N.C. Wildlife officials said on Thursday.
[ READ MORE: Experienced kayaker drowns in Lake Norman, raising water safety concerns ]
The incident was first reported at approximately 2:24 p.m. in the Knox Creek Cove area. Scribben was pronounced dead at 4:04 p.m. after his body was located near a cove west of Catawba Avenue.
He was hanging off the side of the vessel as it moved through the water, N.C. Wildlife said.
Scribben was a husband and a father to a 1-year-old son, a neighbor told Channel 9.
Investigators noted that Scribben was not wearing a life jacket.
The incident is currently under investigation. Authorities are awaiting the results of an autopsy report to determine the exact cause of death.
VIDEO: Experienced kayaker drowns in Lake Norman, raising water safety concerns
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