Family of St. Lawrence fisherman Isaac Kettle relieved his body was found

ST. LAWRENCE, N.L. — It wasn’t how they wanted to find him, but Isaac Kettle’s family is comforted in knowing that at least his body can finally come home.

“This is the best, worst news we could get,” his wife, Kerri Lynn Kettle, said after hearing that a body found near Arnold’s Cove on the weekend is her husband’s.

“But it was such a relief to know he’s finally coming home. It’s like a weight has been lifted.”

Kettle, 33, was one of four St. Lawrence fishermen lost at sea aboard the Sarah Anne, a 36-foot fishing vessel, after it set out from their hometown to go crab fishing on May 25.

While the bodies of the three other crewmen — 67-year-old Ed Norman, his son, Scott Norman, 35, and his nephew, Jody Norman, 42, were recovered a short time later from the frigid waters of Placentia Bay, off the coast of the Burin Peninsula on the province’s south coast, Kettle was still missing.

The Canadian Coast Guard conducted an intensive search, spanning 650 nautical miles, but days later the search and rescue operation was called off. Noting there was no possibility of survival given the time that had passed, a spokesperson said the incident had been turned over to the RCMP as a missing persons case.

Kettle’s family was devastated, and called on the government to provide more help for the search.

“I had lost all hope at that point that they would find him,” Kerri Lynn Kettle said. “I figured that was it. It’s over. It was like being stabbed in the heart all over again.”

Last week, outside groups, including private companies Atlantic Towing and R.J.G. Construction, provided vessels to continue the search.

Arnold’s Cove fishermen found a body on a beach in Doughboy Cove, east across the ocean from Arnold’s Cove.

Clarenville RCMP and forensic identification services travelled to the beach and examined the scene.

While no positive identification was made at that time, the body was taken to St. John’s for examination, and the RCMP contacted the Kettle family. Following work by police and the chief medical examiner, a positive identification was confirmed Monday afternoon.

But the family knew it was Kettle.

“Oh, it is him,” his mother, Aundriette Kettle told The Telegram earlier in the day. “We pretty well know for sure that it is Isaac because we spoke to (one of) the (Arnold’s Cove) fishermen and he described him to a T.”

She said while the family had prayed in the beginning that he would come home alive, having his body back at least eases their burden.

“It was a bit of a relief knowing we had him. It’s not the way we wanted him, but it’s the best news we could get at that point,” she said.

“At least now we can get closure. Before now, we would always be wondering where he was at.”

She said it’s surprising to know her son’s body ended up so far away after being missing for 12 days. She said the Sarah Anne still hasn’t been found.

However, both Kerri Lynn Kettle and Aundriette Kettle said they’re grateful to everyone who prayed and is supporting the family during this tragic time.

“Oh my God, we had so much support from the town, from the whole province and country,” she said. “We would never have been able to do this on our own. They all did this for us. We’ll never be able to repay them.”

Meanwhile, the family got some moral support over the weekend when Toronto Maple Leafs left-winger Zach Hyman left a Facebook message for Isaac’s sons, Sam and Luke.

“I know you guys are big hockey players and big Toronto Maple Leafs fans,” he said in the video, which is posted on Kerri Lynn Kettle’s Facebook page.

“So, on behalf of myself, my teammates and the entire Toronto Maple Leafs’ organization, I just wanted to let you know that we’re thinking about you guys. To the Kettle family, we’re wishing you all the best during this really hard time. Wishing you comfort and strength, and just know that we’re here for you.”

Kerri Lynn Kettle said her sons were delighted to get the message.

“That was amazing. The boys thought it was just fantastic,” she said. “To do that for them, we’re truly touched.”

Twitter: @TelyRosie