Missing Kayakers IDed, Search Continues Near Groton

GROTON, CT — The kayakers missing near Groton have been identified as 21-year-old Spencer Mugford and 20-year-old Sophia McKenna, the Coast Guard said. The two remain missing. The pair were last seen in a tandem kayak on a social media post shared at 2 a.m. on Sunday, the Coast Guard said. They were reported missing at 6:30 p.m. that night.

Mugford was last seen wearing a blue tank top and salmon colored shorts. It was not clear what McKenna was last seen wearing. Late Monday, Coast Guard officials say the found a sailboat, which they believe belonged to Mugford and McKenna, and they will continue to search in that area, NBC Connecticut reports.

The missing adults were last seen in the Long Island Sound near Avery Point. Sofia’s mother, Michelle McKenna, told NBC Connecticut that she last heard from them when she received the Snapchat at 2 a.m. Sunday.

"That’s why I’m hoping anyone out there can search for them because I’m praying they’re still alive,” Michelle McKenna, said according to NBC Connecticut. “Miracles do happen, maybe somebody’s already found them. I don’t know. But we got to keep faith."

Anyone that sees a kayak or people in the water is asked to call the Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound command center at 203-468-4401. Searches by boat and helicopter have so far been unsuccessful.

>>>Read More at NBC Connecticut.

Image: Patch graphic