UPDATE: Missing Concord Man Found

The New Hampshire Fish & Game Department has confirmed scanner chatter that the body of John Stapler, 68, a Concord man who was reported missing yesterday afternoon, has been recovered from Turkey Pond.

Concord NH Patch will update this report when more information becomes available.

The first report is below.

Concord residents are on Turkey Pond this morning looking for John Stapler, 68, who reportedly fell out of his kayak on Dec. 9, 2015.

First responders were sent to the pond at just before 3 p.m. for a report of a man falling into the pond, according to scanner chatter. When they arrived, they began to search for Stapler.

According to New Hampshire State Police - Marine Patrol, Stapler’s kayak was located a short time after the search began. Members of the New Hampshire Fish and Game, Concord Fire Department, and neighbors near Turkey Pond searched the area until just before 6 p.m.

Concord Fire had an engine crew and boat assisting with the search as well as helping with lighting, according to Chief Dan Andrus.

Family members and friends continued the search through the evening and into the morning hours but, so far, have not been able to find him. A number of family members and volunteers are at the pond now continuing the search.

This morning, the search resumed with officers from NHSP-Marine Patrol, NH Fish and Game, and members of the Concord Fire Department, according to Sgt. C. McLain.

“ At this time, search efforts are ongoing,” McLain stated.

Additionally, the NHSP-Marine Patrol requests anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact Marine Patrol Headquarters at 603-293-2037, Ext. 0.