FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
7/6/2024
CONTACT INFORMATION:
East Providence Police Department
Captain Michael Rapoza
Public Information Officer
(401)-435-7600
mrapoza@eastprovidenceri.gov
East Providence police identify kayakers found in pond
EAST PROVIDENCE, RI – East Providence police and fire department were notified early Friday morning that two adult males did not return home after kayaking late Thursday night. The reporting party told investigators that the two males went kayaking on Omega Pond just off Roger Williams Avenue and had not heard from them since. Officers and firefighters began searching the shoreline and used drone technology to locate one body just below the surface of the water a short distance from where two empty kayaks were found. A short time later, a second body was discovered.
East Providence Fire Department marine units provided marine search operations. The Office of the State Medical Examiners was on scene to take custody of the deceased.
Marine units and dive teams from Rhode Island State Police and Department of Environmental Management also assisted with the search.
The two deceased males were identified as 52-year-old Joseph Fritz of East Providence and 37-year-old Gregory Boerman of Allston, Massachusetts. The incident remains under investigation by detectives and the state medical examiner. The deaths do not appear suspicious at this time.
