Body of missing Southampton kayaker found as search for pal continues

The body of a 27-year-old kayaker who disappeared in the waters off Southampton over the weekend has been recovered — as police continue the search for his missing pal, authorities said.

Shane Garcia and his friend, 25-year-old Aaron Montemarano, were last heard from when they sent a selfie to Garcia’s girlfriend from Shinnecock Bay on Saturday, Southampton police said.

When the men didn’t return from their jaunt Saturday night, the worried woman reported them missing, prompting a search of the area by state troopers and the Southampton Town Marine Patrol Unit.

Shane Garcia and Aaron Montemarano sent a selfie to a friend Saturday, then disappeared — and Garcia’s body was found Sunday. Southampton Town PD

The search turned up two kayaks and two paddles that washed ashore near Shinnecock East County Park on Sunday, cops said.

“The Southampton Town Police CRU Units and Drone Unit were also searching the area using drones and ATVs as well as Suffolk County helicopter,” police said in a release late Sunday. “New York State Police divers searched the area and recovered on of the missing kayakers, Shane Garcia.

The pair were near the Ponquogue Bridge before disappearing. Edmund J Coppa

“The search continued until it became dark,” the release said. “The search efforts for the missing kayaker will continue early [Monday] morning.”

Police said they received the missing persons’ report around 8:45 p.m. Saturday and later found Garcia’s work van parked at the end of Shinnecock Avenue in Hampton Bays.

The two men were last known to be in the water near the Ponquogue Bridge around Shinnecock Bay when they sent Garcia’s girlfriend the photo earlier Saturday, according to police.

Authorities said the US Coast Guard is also involved in the search as it resumed on Monday.