The body of a deceased kayaker found in Great Slave Lake has been identified as 30-year-old Thomas Destailleur of France, an avid world traveler who was undertaking a months-long Northern journey to raise awareness about the climate crisis and the importance of preserving nature.
The deceased manSA国际影视传媒檚 identity was confirmed late Friday afternoon by NWT chief coroner Cathy Menard.
Facebook photo.
DestailleurSA国际影视传媒檚 body was located near his overturned kayak Wednesday night following a search effort by Fort Resolution and Hay River , along with Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC), Trenton, Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary (CCGA), Hay River.
The search was launched after received a report Wednesday morning stating Destailleur had not checked with family when he was expected to.
Destailleur frequently posted updates of his ambitious trip - he began biking in Fort McMurray in July and planned to reach Tuktoyaktuk, the final destination on his route, by mid-September - to a blog and .
The trip was part of what Destailleur called the Open Your Wild Project, a three-pronged initiative meant to educate, inspire and create awareness, states a blog post, which was been translated from French into English.
Just before 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 5, amid concerns of high winds and rising waves, Destailleur posted his final photo to his Facebook page, writing he had had passed Pine Point, near Fort Resolution. He was reported missing on Aug. 7.
Facebook photo.
SA国际影视传媒淗oping the wind falls SA国际影视传媒� letSA国际影视传媒檚 hope for tomorrow,SA国际影视传媒� reads DestailleurSA国际影视传媒檚 translated final post.
On his blog, Destailleur wrote he was undertaking the adventure to SA国际影视传媒渁dvocate sustainable use of resources and stewardship of the environment.SA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒淚 think that the environment and climate crisis we are going through is partly due to the distance that exists between Man and Nature,SA国际影视传媒� wrote Destailleur.
The eco-adventurer contacted Hay River Hub in May, explaining his goal for the trip.
"My aim is to raise awareness, make people react and encourage people to take stand to the environmental crisis, through the preparation and realization of eco-friendly sports adventures," he told the Hub.
Destailleur stated he planned on highlighting the SA国际影视传媒渆cological and environmental initiativesSA国际影视传媒� of Hay River. Tragically, he never made it to the town.
A post mortem examination has been ordered by the NWT Coroner Services.
"We are continuing our ongoing investigation with the assistance of the ," stated Menard in Friday's news release.
"NWT Coroner Service extends our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Thomas Destailleur."
More to come.
