Account
Jun 26, 2012
May 26, 2023
Brandon
Thompson
41
28
71 inches
150 lbs
White / Caucasian
Male
On a late summer evening in September 2011, 28-year-old Brandon Sean Thompson disappeared into the waters of Puget Sound. He and a friend, both experienced kayakers, had set out at dusk from Bainbridge Island, Washington, to enjoy the tranquil waters of Blakely Harbor and to capture images of the moonrise. An adventurous and athletic man, Thompson was known for his love of the outdoors, engaging in activities like scuba diving and rock climbing. The evening paddle, however, took a tragic turn, marking the last time Brandon would be seen by his loved ones. He was wearing swim trunks and tennis shoes when he entered the water. The incident began when, for reasons that remain unclear, Brandon's kayak overturned and started to fill with water. He and his friend were unable to empty the vessel, prompting Brandon to hold onto his friend's kayak as they attempted to paddle toward the shore together. They soon realized they were fighting a powerful outgoing tide and making no progress. In a critical moment, Brandon, an athletic man, made the decision to try and swim to the nearby shore. He removed his life preserver and paddle jacket, and his friend, after tossing him a life preserver which he did not put on, paddled quickly to a nearby home to call 911. When the friend returned, Brandon was nowhere to be found. An extensive search was launched that night by the U.S. Coast Guard and the Bainbridge Island Police Department, covering approximately 45 square miles. Search crews utilized multiple boats and helicopters, but the vastness of the water and the strong currents presented significant challenges. The following day, searchers located Brandon's kayak and the life jacket he had taken off. The active search effort continued until that Sunday at noon, when it was officially suspended. Despite the immediate and thorough response, Brandon's body was not recovered. The Bainbridge Island Police Department investigated the disappearance, and while he is presumed to have drowned in the waters of Blakely Harbor, his case officially remains that of a missing person. His family, while grieving their profound loss, expressed their belief that Brandon's friend did everything he could to try and save him that night.
Sep 16, 2011
Bainbridge Island
Washington
Kitsap County
98110
No
11915
Bainbridge Island Police Department
Bainbridge Island
Washington
Kitsap County
98110
Trevor Ziemba
Detective
625 Winslow Way East, Washington
2068425211
Local
Law Enforcement
Bainbridge Island Police Department
Brown
Brown
Brown
06/23/2026
