THURMONT, Md. — The weeklong search for a missing kayaker on the Monocacy River came to a heartbreaking conclusion Tuesday evening, as authorities recovered the body of 34-year-old Sean M. Chilson, a Thurmont resident, former U.S. Marine, and avid outdoorsman.
Chilson’s body was discovered around 6 p.m. near Biggs Ford Bridge, according to the Maryland Natural Resources Police. He had been missing since May 14, when he was last seen kayaking as severe weather caused dangerous conditions and rising water levels along the Monocacy River.
Emergency personnel from the Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue Services assisted in the recovery operation, which capped a coordinated search effort that had involved daily sweeps of the river since Chilson’s disappearance.
Authorities say Chilson was reported missing in the stretch of river between Creagerstown and DeVilbiss Bridge, an area that saw rapid water level rises and flooding during a series of storms that struck Western Maryland. Shortly after he vanished, observers posted video footage showing a kayak paddle and other equipment floating downstream — evidence that deepened concern for his safety.
Chilson’s brother, Seth Chilson, confirmed the tragic news in a social media post that has since prompted an outpouring of support from the local community and beyond. “He loved to hike and be outside around friends,” Seth wrote. “He had a contagious smile and was loved by many.”
A proud Marine Corps veteran who served in Okinawa, Japan, Sean Chilson was also a well-known figure in the local business community. He worked as a sales manager at Century Dodge/Chrysler/Ram/Jeep in Frederick County, where colleagues and customers alike remembered him for his warm personality and professionalism.
Loved ones described him as an experienced kayaker and nature enthusiast who cherished spending time outdoors. “He wasn’t just a brother or a friend — he was a force of positivity in every room,” one family member said.
The discovery of his body brings a somber close to a search that has gripped the Thurmont and Frederick County communities over the past week. Local officials have extended their condolences to the Chilson family and praised the efforts of all the agencies involved in the recovery.
In honor of Sean’s memory, friends and family are encouraging the public to exercise caution during high-water events and to cherish time spent in nature — a setting that Sean deeply loved and where he found peace.
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming days.