Brandon Sean Thompson, 28, disappeared into Puget Sound on a late summer evening in September 2011 after a kayaking outing from Bainbridge Island to Blakely Harbor to photograph the moonrise. Both men were experienced kayakers. Brandon’s kayak overturned and began filling with water; he and his friend could not empty it and held onto the friend’s kayak as they tried to paddle to shore against a strong outgoing tide.

The friend went to a nearby house to call 911 and, on returning, found Brandon missing. The U.S. Coast Guard and Bainbridge Island Police Department searched about 45 square miles with boats and helicopters; the next day searchers recovered Brandon’s kayak and the life jacket he had removed. The active search was suspended the following Sunday at noon and his body was not recovered. His case remains listed as a missing person, though he is presumed drowned.

Did anyone on Bainbridge Island at the time observe the moonrise paddle or see a kayak in distress that night?