Dead Kayaker Identified As U.S. Secret Service Agent

ANNAPOLIS, MD — The 40-year-old woman reported missing after her kayak overturned Saturday off Eastport has been identified as U.S. Secret Service Special Agent Stephanie Hancock, authorities said in an update on July 1. Her body was found at 9:45 p.m. the same night she went missing.

Special Agent Hancock had been with the Secret Service since 2007 and last served on the presidential protective detail.

“On Saturday, June 29, 2019, the Secret Service lost one of our own in a tragic kayaking accident in Maryland. Special Agent Stephanie Hancock had been with the U.S. Secret Service since 2007, last serving on the Presidential Protective Detail,” the agency said in a statement. “Our condolences, as well as our thoughts and prayers, are with the family of Special Agent Hancock.”

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Maryland-National Capital Region were notified at 3:20 p.m. by Anne Arundel County 911 that three kayakers had fallen into the water near Spa Creek and the Severn River. Annapolis Harbormaster Patrol Boat 2 was in the area and responded, retrieving two kayakers out of the water.

The Coast Guard and other agencies were called out to search for the remaining missing kayaker. A 45-foot response boat crew from Coast Guard Station Annapolis was launched to search for the missing woman. Crews with the Annapolis Fire Department, U.S. Naval Academy Fire Department, Anne Arundel County Fire Department and Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police also assisted in the search.

The search was stopped at 5:20 p.m. because of the severe weather that rolled into the area, but resumed at 6:10 p.m. The missing kayaker was found at about 9:30 p.m.

The incident is under investigation by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police.

Responding agencies included the Annapolis Fire Department, U.S. Naval Academy Fire Department, Anne Arundel County Fire Department, U.S. Coast Guard, and Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police.