On September 13, 2020, Fort Scott Police and Fire Departments, Fort Scott Rural Fire, Bourbon County EMS and Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office responded to a missing person call at Fort Scott Lake. Kansas Wildlife and Parks along with an Air Methods helicopter also assisted in the search.

Raymond Harper, 19, of Fort Scott, had been kayaking in the lake.

His kayak had been found but friends were unable to locate Harper.

First responders searched until 1:15 a.m. on Sept. 14, when the search was stopped until daybreak.

Kansas Highway Patrol joined in the search today. Sheriff Bill Martin reached out to the Overland Park Dive Team and Fire Chief Dave Bruner to the Newton County Dive Team to assist in the search.

At 1:53 p.m. today, a body was found, that was suspected to be Harper’s. The body was sent to Frontier Forensics for an autopsy.

“At this time our thoughts and prayers are with the Harper family,” Fort Scott Police Captain Jason Pickert, said.