Gregory L. Miller

According to Carteret County News-Times,

CAPE LOOKOUT — Officials with the National Park Service have identified the body of a Durham man that washed up along the north end of South Core Banks Monday morning, November 8, 2021.

Cape Lookout National Seashore officials said in a release the body found Monday morning was that of Gregory L. Miller, 65, of Durham. Mr. Miller had been staying at the Great Island Cabin Camp.

The cause of his death has not been determined, though an official said foul play is not suspected.

According to Cape Lookout Superintendent Jeff West, a fisherman found Mr. Miller’s body floating in the water and called 911 around 8:45 a.m. Monday.

“We’ll have to wait and see what the results from the medical examiner’s office show,” he said.

Mr. West said Mr. Miller had rented a cabin and responders found fishing gear among his belongings, so the superintendent believes Mr. Miller had rented the cabin to spend time fishing.

“This time of year the cabins are full because this is prime fishing season,” Mr. West said. “It’s not unusual for fishermen to stay on the Banks during a nor’easter because that is prime fishing time. We have folks who prefer to be out on the Banks during a nor’easter for the fishing. There were probably about 150 people out on the banks this weekend.”

Mr. West said no other fishermen were injured. He added that the NPS stops running patrols when the winds get above 28 miles per hour.

“We stopped patrols sometime Saturday afternoon,” he confirmed.

The National Weather Service reported the coastal low that formed off eastern North Carolina over the weekend brought significant overwash, especially along Highway 12 on the Outer Banks. In addition to coastal flooding, winds that gusted to 60 mph were reported in some locations along the coast. The flooding was made worse by king tides, which are the highest lunar tide cycles of the year.

 As well as NPS rangers, the Harkers Island watercraft rescue team, the Carteret County Sheriff’s Office, Marine Patrol officers and other first responders assisted with the investigation Monday.

Mr. West said the CCSO will continue to assist with the investigation.

Carteret County public information officer Nick Wilson said while the CCSO will assist, any further updates will come from the NPS.