Kayak found, but Lake Shasta man remains missing after dayslong search

The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its search for a 22-year-old man who disappeared while kayaking on Lake Shasta last week. 

Read more ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ actor found stabbed to death after strange 911 call

Family members reported Maxziel Castro missing on June 3 after he failed to return from his kayaking trip the previous evening. Castro was last seen leaving a residence in the Lakehead area to go kayaking around 6 p.m. on June 2. 

Deputies located Castro’s car at the Lower Salt Creek Boat Launch on June 3 and issued an at-risk missing person alert. Later that morning, deputies assigned to the sheriff’s boating safety unit found an unoccupied kayak partially submerged in the Salt Creek Inlet. A paddle and other belongings were discovered nearby along the shoreline. 

Search crews from multiple agencies have spent days combing the area by air, water and land. The California Highway Patrol’s air operations unit assisted from above, while the sheriff’s office deployed drones, side-scan sonar and dive teams in an effort to locate Castro. 

Despite those efforts, the sheriff’s office said Castro has not been found. 

“Search efforts remain ongoing,” Shasta County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Tim Mapes told SFGATE. 

Sonar and additional equipment are being used to investigate potential targets in the water. Air searches, shoreline checks and patrols in the area are also continuing. 

Volunteer search groups organized by Castro’s family have joined the effort in recent days, conducting searches on both land and water. Deputies have assisted by monitoring the area and helping maintain safe conditions for those on the water. 

Read more Wisconsin man who hid out in Yosemite National Park assaulted park ranger

A separate update shared on Monday by the Trail-In RV Park and Campground, where Castro worked, directed supporters to a community-run “Finding Max Castro” page for search information. The campground also urged visitors to continue supporting the family business while search efforts continue. 

“Max was working so very hard to bring people a safe and beautiful environment for camping,” the post said. “This is their business and Max left here that night with all intentions of being back that same night to keep their business thriving.”

Anyone with information about Castro’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office at 530-245-6025.