A report in the Palm Beach Post on Monday quoted the half brother of missing FLW Series angler Nik Kayler as saying he believes Kayler may still be alive despite being missing since last Thursday morning at Lake Okeechobee.
“I can’t rule it out,” Anthony Llanos told the newspaper. “The chances are high that he’s not alive. And I can accept it. I can’t accept not finding him.”
Kayler was a co-angler in the FLW Series tournament at Okeechobee and was paired with boater Bill Kisiah on day 1 of the event.
The report also revealed that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission released a brief statement Monday regarding the incident that resulted in Kayler’s disappearance.
“Preliminary information indicates that the vessel encountered rough waters and struck a wave and Mr. Kayler was ejected from the vessel,” the FWC statement said, according to the Post.
The FWC also said Kisiah was unsuccessful in his effort to recover Kayler due to engine damage and lake conditions.
A GoFundMe page set up for the Kayler family has already raised more than $32,000 as of Tuesday morning.
Kisiah was released from Lakeside Medical Center in Belle Glade on Monday, according to the Post. He reportedly had been treated for hypothermia.
Volunteers and FWC crews continue to search the lake for any sign of Kayler.
The Lake Okeechobee FLW Tour is scheduled to begin on Thursday, Jan. 25.
To read the full report, click here.
Also late Monday night, the Kayler family announced it was putting up $10,000 as a reward to whomever finds Nik Kayler. Here's a Facebook post from Phil Kayler, Nik's brother:
