WBRZ - Baton Rouge

GRAND ISLE - The Coast Guard suspended the search today for a kayaker who didn't return from a fishing trip in the Gulf of Mexico near Grand Isle.

Lt. Matt Kor said Eric Richards, 32, of Prairieville left on the trip Monday morning. They were notified Tuesday night he had not returned after he didn't show up for work, and a co-worker found Richards' vehicle still at the boat launch.

"Coast Guard air and surface assets from two districts searched more than 3,000 square miles, spot checked more than 100 offshore rigs and aids to navigation markers for more than 89 hours with no signs of the missing kayaker," Kor said.

Kor said helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and several Coast Guard cutters and special response boats were used in the search.