Non-Witness Narrative by Rick Bellows on 2006-12-15 (okay to publish): The body of Michael Shane Biles of Speake, AL was recovered December 10 from the Tennessee River near Pirate’s Cove Marina off Alabama 20 in Morgan County. The body was spotted by helicopter searches and was recovered about 10 feet from the river’s bank. Mr. Biles’ kayak was found about 150 yards away. Mr. Biles was last seen Thursday, December 7. His neice, Felicia Griffin, said Mr. Biles would often go out a night with a flashlifht because he could spot arrowheads better. Lisa Owens, who lived with Mr. Biles, became concerned when he did not return home on Friday, December 8. She filed a missing person’s report on Saturday, December 9. The night of December 7-8 was one of the coldes of the year. According to the National Weather Service in Huntsville, the low that night was 14 degrees. “The wind was blowing hard, and it was cold,” according to Ms. Owens. According to Morgan County Coroner Russ Beard, Mr. Biles was wearing a camouflage life vest and warm clothing. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the cause of death. TEXT ATTACHMENTS http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006612120341 Kayaker found dead in Tennessee River DECATUR — A Speake man was found dead after apparently launching his kayak into the Tennessee River on one of the coldest nights of the year. The body of Michael Shane Biles, 38, was found by helicopter searchers in water about 10 feet from the riverbank Sunday near the Nucor Steel and Solutia plants, said William Szczepanski of the Morgan County Rescue Squad. The kayak was about 150 yards away. Morgan County Coroner Russ Beard said Biles was wearing a camouflage life vest and warm clothing. He left to go on the kayak Thursday night, when the temperature dropped to 14 degrees. Lisa Owens, who has lived with Biles for eight years, told The Decatur Daily she knew something was wrong when he didn’t return Friday. She filed a missing person’s report Saturday morning. “Undoubtedly he couldn’t keep the kayak up in the water,” Owens said. “The wind was blowing hard, and it was cold.” Owens’ niece, Felicia Griffin, said Biles would go out at night with a flashlight along the river because he could spot arrowheads better. Beard has requested an autopsy by the state forensic lab in Huntsville. http://www.wsbtv.com/news/10510311/detail.html Kayaker Found Dead In River POSTED: 2:23 pm EST December 11, 2006 DECATUR, Ala. — A Lawrence County man was found dead after apparently launching his kayak into the Tennessee River for an adventure on one of the coldest nights of the year. An official with the Morgan County Rescue Squad said helicopter searchers found 38-year-old Michael Shane Biles of Speake in the water Sunday about 11 a.m. near the Nucor Steel and Solutia plants. Morgan County Coroner Russ Beard said Biles was wearing a camouflage life vest and warm clothing. He said the body was found near Pirate’s Chest Marina off Alabama 20. According to the National Weather Service in Huntsville, the temperature dropped to 14 degrees Thursday night when Biles went out to go kayaking. He was reported missing Saturday morning.Unknown except as reflected in media coverage.