Missing Lake Tahoe paddle boarder found in Missouri

The man who gained national attention when he went missing from his paddle board in South Lake Tahoe has turned up in Missouri.

South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) investigators had been working on the case since he disappeared on Wednesday, not knowing if he were dead or alive. The floating paddleboard with GoPro camera was found floating about 1/2 mile off shore by the Timber Cove Marina.

At 10 a.m. this morning, August 18, investigators were able to speak to Zbigniew (“Zibi”) Moryn, a Polish citizen, via telephone in the State of Missouri where he is currently visiting.

Several tips came in from the public who had seen the media coverage of the case. These tips, combined with social media clues and leads located from Moryn’s recovered GoPro camera, helped first to locate and speak with his traveling companion, Ed Berger. Berger resides in the State of Arizona and confirmed that Moryn was alive and visiting the United States from Poland. He stated that Moryn was not currently at Berger’s Arizona residence, but was now visiting the State of Missouri.

SLTPD investigators contacted the Department of Homeland Security who confirmed Moryn’s identity and the validity of his travel visa. The agency was involved as was the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

According to the SLTPD, Moryn blocked his social media accounts as they were trying to verify that he was okay, and they couldn't just take Berger's word that the young man was indeed alive as it was still suspicious until they spoke to him.

Moryn called SLTPD to confirm he was safe and was traveling to several areas of the United States during his visit. Moryn presented himself to local Missouri law enforcement authorities, who independently confirmed his status in order to close this case.

He explained that, while on the rented paddle board on Lake Tahoe, a personal water craft had ridden close enough to him to cause a significant wake. This wake, combined with strong winds blowing across the water at the time, caused Moryn to fall off of the board into the cold water. The wind quickly carried his paddle board away from him. Since he was not wearing a life jacket he felt it was safer to swim to shore rather than to exhaust himself in an effort to retrieve the board. Once safely ashore he believed any attempt to find and retrieve the rented paddle board would have been useless for him. He abandoned the board to Lake Tahoe and returned the oar to the business where he rented the board with no further explanation.

It was in the same general area that an off-duty deputy died the following while in the cold water after trying to rescue someone he thought was drowning after falling from a kayak.

Shortly afterward Moryn left the Tahoe area to continue his travels.

The South Lake Tahoe Police Department credits the public response to this case for helping significantly in our ability to locate and confirm Moryn’s identity and safety. This is a good example of the public working in partnership with local law enforcement for the best of all possible outcomes.

SLTPD is returning Moryn’s GoPro camera to him via the mail.