The body of a missing kayaker was recovered from Cherry Creek Reservoir on Sunday night, South Metro Fire Rescue said.

South Metro Fire Rescue announced they had recovered the body just before 5 p.m. after about five hours of rescue and recovery missions. 

Officials believe the man is a 26-year-old from Aurora, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. His identity will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office after his family has been notified. 

Witnesses said they saw a man in “obvious distress” in the water just after 11:45 a.m., CPW said. The man was not wearing a life jacket and was swimming near an inflatable kayak. 

CPW park rangers said a strong storm created gusty winds and choppy water which might have caused the kayak to capsize.

Crews responded to the area and dive teams were launched about noon.

At about 1 p.m., South Metro Fire Rescue began using its drone to search the reservoir from overhead.

Without any discoveries, South Metro Fire Rescue changed the mission from rescue to recovery at 1:45 p.m., with CPW park rangers taking over. 

Recovery efforts included interviewing witnesses and using an underwater drones with sonar, lights and a video camera. 

Though witnesses reported seeing a dog with the man, South Metro Fire Rescue said officials can’t confirm the dog’s presence and have not been able to find one during the search.

Crews from South Metro Fire Rescue, the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office, CPW park rangers and the CPW Marine Evidence Recovery Team participated in the search.

Search efforts focused on the east side of the reservoir within Cherry Creek State Park, in water depths ranging from 9 to 16 feet.