Body found in Lake Fort Scott believed to be missing teen

(From the Fort Scott Police Department)

On September 13, 2020, members of the Fort Scott Police and Fire Departments, Fort Scott Rural Fire, Bourbon County EMS and Bourbon County Sheriff's Department responded to a missing person call at Lake Fort Scott.

Information was given to responders indicating Raymond Harper, 19, Fort Scott, had been kayaking in the lake and could not be found.

His kayak was recovered by friends, however they had not been able to locate him.

Kansas Wildlife and Parks were contacted and responded to the scene to assist in the search for Harper.

An Air Methods helicopter responded for an aerial search, as well. First responders searched for Harper until 1:15 a.m. on September 14 and the decision was made to reconvene at daylight.

Kansas Highway Patrol joined the search on September 14. Sheriff Bill Martin reached out to Overland Park Police Department dive team and Fire Chief Dave Bruner contacted Newton County Dive Team. Both agencies responded to assist with the search.

On September 14, 2020, at approximately 1:53 p.m., a body of a white male was recovered from Lake Fort Scott. The body, suspected to be Raymond Harper, was sent to Frontier Forensics for an autopsy.

At this time, our thoughts and prayers are with the Harper family.