Body of teen lobsterman Tylar Michaud recovered off Maine coast

The body of an 18-year-old lobsterman was recovered near the coast of Maine this week — exactly one month after he went missing at sea.

Tylar Michaud of Steuben was identified Thursday as the dead man discovered in the bay alongside Addison, a town more than seven miles from where his empty fishing boat was discovered last month.

The grim confirmation put an end to a massive search for the recent high school graduate.

“I’m grateful for the tremendous outpouring of support that followed Tylar’s disappearance,” Patrick Keliher, the Maine Department of Marine Resources commissioner, said in a statement.

“The efforts of all who joined in the difficult search were unprecedented. Many agencies and individuals devoted countless hours to this search. It speaks volumes about the profound impact a loss like this can have.”

Michaud had been missing since July 21 after he went out to tend his lobster traps near Petit Manan Island.

His boat was found by another lobsterman near Petit Manan Point on the coast of mainland Maine, officials said.

Rescuers from various local and state agencies deployed vessels, helicopters and dive crews along a multi-mile stretch of the area in the search for Michaud in the nearly four weeks before his body was discovered by a lobsterman Monday.

His cause of death is still under investigation.

The lobsterman was lost at sea just one month after graduating from Sumner Memorial High School and celebrating his 18th birthday, according to his online obituary.

The teen’s loved ones described him as a “wicked smart” and “curious” teenager who had a penchant for lobster fishing, a hobby he picked up from his mother’s side of the family.

“Tylar took to lobster fishing with his Kennedy family and spent as much time as he could on the water. He was never satisfied with what he knew and could be found in the fishing community grilling other lobstermen for tips to improve,” his family wrote.

“Tylar lit up a room when he entered. Always noted first were his stunning eyes – filled with intelligence and wit. He was a delight to all he met. Tylar was never shy to engage, pull a prank, crack a joke, or tease those he cared most for.”

He planned to use proceeds from lobster fishing to pay for classes this fall at Maine Maritime Academy, where he planned to study marine engineering.