The divers went down to explore cliff walls, but found a person instead. The divers remains, still contained in a wetsuit and buckled with scuba gear and an air tank, were in amazing physical condition and remarkably preserved, Sheriffs Sgt. Resend Activation Email. Donald Christopher Windecker disappeared on July 10, 1994 after diving into the famously deep mountain lake, which plunges to a depth of about 1,645 feet. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. "It was pretty scary for them. A remote-controlled mini-submarine with a robotic claw raised the remains July 27. Copyright (c) 2011, Los Angeles Times Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. His body was protected from marine life and subject only to the slow work of cold bacteria. Jim Byers said. View Source Share Save to Suggest Edits Memorial Photos Flowers Created by: Athena Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). "All of our bodies have bacteria that live in them," she said. El Dorado County Sheriff's spokesman Sgt. The well-preserved body of Donald Christopher Windecker was discovered July 23 on an underwater shelf, 265 feet below the surface. Just was out there this past summer visiting and had an amazing lunch at Sunnyside. Both are repeated in numerous places, but both also appear in one message at Snopes.com, the urban myth checking website. Accompanied by a friend, he set out for a dive on July 10, 1994, and never returned.By Bob Pool, Los Angeles TimesAugust 9, 2011Authorities at Lake Tahoe on Monday solved the mystery of a scuba diver who disappeared 17 years ago in the mountain lake's deep, frigid waters.The well-preserved body of Donald Christopher Windecker was discovered July 23 on an underwater shelf, 265 feet below the surface. 9 places you must eat and drink in North Lake Tahoe, Tahoe's historic Cal Neva Lodge set for renovation; old cabins torn down, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Donald Christopher Windecker disappeared on July 10, 1994 after diving into the famously deep mountain lake, which plunges to a depth of about 1,645 feet. Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group, Ousted Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot claims she was treated unfairly because she's 'a black woman in America' despite failing to stop soaring crime - as critics unleash and election heads to runoff, 'They told me anyone wearing Trump has to go now': Ron DeSantis book signing event in Florida turns ugly when security guard is ordered to boot pro-Donald supporters - as tension between Republican rivals escalates. Jim Byers told the Times, attributing the preservation to 35-degree water and water pressure. Decided to do a little further research for you and found that he was born in Tulare County, California on December 19, 1949. Windecker had died 17 years previously while scuba diving and due to the lake's cold. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. When such stories happen, myths about bodies. Lava tube connections between Lake Tahoe and other lakes are an urban myth, Byers said. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. Tidbit: The submersible that found Windecker's body is 24 x 10 x 10 inches. It was then recovered by sheriffs officials with the use of a remote-operated submersible vehicle July 27. Until now. It's deep, it's cold, it's hard to recover a body from.". Please enter your email and password to sign in. Year should not be greater than current year. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. "Lava tube connections between Lake Tahoe and other lakes are an urban myth," Byers said.Other stories about oddities beneath Lake Tahoe have been debunked by experts. Windeckers body was discovered by a group of mixed gas divers exploring cliff walls, Byers said. An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Search above to list available cemeteries. Do you hate foreplay? Balenciaga posts job listing for new VP of Communications with a special emphasis on crisis communications after backlash over THOSE ads, Inside the forest palace 'Putin shares with his gymnast lover and their secret children': Luxury estate features huge spa, 28-hectate park and separate mansion for 'uncrowned queen of Russia', investigation claims, Ukraine 'hits major Russian air base in fresh strike' a day after kamikaze drone crashed down just 68 miles from the Kremlin, How did Russia lose HALF of its 45,000 elite paratroopers in just seven months? Scott Adams faces 'consequence culture' as U.S. newspapers drop Dilbert, Tom Cruise's 'ditching' of Suri showcased by Judd Apatow's 'co-parenting' joke, ex-Scientology exec says. Although El Dorado County authorities say he had no close relatives, those who counted him as a friend are thankful this mystery has been resolved. Would dismantling Interstate 980 repair damage to Black neighborhoods? "Why not take them to Donner Lake, which is much closer? Windecker was accompanied by a friend at the time of his disappearance, who said Windecker experienced problems with his equipment after the pair began to ascend from a dive. Play it now! Windecker's body was still wearing the wetsuit, weight belt and air tank he had on July 10, 1994, when the 44-year-old former city planner from Reno, Nevada went scuba diving in the lake with a friend. Chinese immigrants in Truckee were targeted by the 601 vigilante group and the Caucasian League. Others contend the watery grave contains card cheats and mobsters killed by the Mafia and anchored to the lake bottom by concrete-filled casino ice buckets, wearing pinstriped suits, with sneers on their faces and bullet holes in their foreheads, as the San Francisco Chronicle put it in 2004. At Lake Tahoe, a scuba diver's body is recovered after 17 yearsThe well-preserved remains of Donald Christopher Windecker are discovered on an underwater shelf. Copyright IBTimes 2023. Conventional scuba divers have to stop at about 100 feet.Byers said those in the diving group were startled to see Windecker's motionless form. CA - Lake Tahoe, scuba diver's body found, Jul'11 - Donald Windecker. Accompanied by a friend, Windecker planned to swim to a depth of about 100 feet. By Rachel Quigley Updated: 21:37 EST, 8 August 2011. It doesn't appear in any feeds, and anyone with a direct link to it will see a message like this one. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. When talking about the diver who drowned, he forgot to mention that the mayor who was busted for cocaine trafficking was also rumored to be involved in prostitution. Try again later. 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Ironic isn't it they just could have left him there when they found him. Best quality coke is made from crawfish. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Donald Windecker (74652674)? A remote-controlled mini-submarine with a robotic claw raised the remains July 27. Drag images here or select from your computer for Donald Christopher Windecker memorial. you know what, if my mayor had a guy killed, dumped the body in the lake, and introduced non-native crustaceans into it for the express purpose of disposing of bodies while hiding it as a method to increase fishing tourism, by god, he can have this one. Dianna Jensen (#46486576)Donald Christopher Windeckers' request for his final resting place was to be cremated and have his ashes spread over Lake Tahoe. Sgt. Just beyond the ledge where Windeckers body was discovered, the lake plunges to a depth of 1,645 feet. Try again later. The well-preserved body of Donald Christopher Windecker was discovered July?23 on an underwater shelf 265 feet below the surface. Just remember, you do not recognize the bodies in the water. Among those rumored to populate its depths are Chinese laborers who helped construct the railroad across the Sierra Nevada in the 1860s as well gamblers and mobsters killed by the Mafia. "In warm water, the bacteria will still work just fine, so gases will build up and bodies will float. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. Please reset your password. Horror film legend Ricou Browning who starred as Gill-man in Creature from the Black Lagoon dies aged 93 from natural causes, What's your biggest turn off? Bryan Golmitz of the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office said Windecker's body was well preserved after 17 years -- "He looked 90 percent like a person, the physical form was there, he was very present.". In 2011, the body of Donald Christopher Windecker was recovered from Lake Tahoe, found 350 feet underwater. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. His companion tried to help but began running out of air and was forced to surface. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. Toward the end of the dive, the Times reports, Windecker apparently had trouble with his equipment, and began to sink. The partner attempted to help him but was forced to the surface when he ran low on air. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. "He was an outgoing person. Jennifer Hollander explains why they often don't float. Jim Byers told the Los Angeles Times that Windecker's body was found in such good condition that authorities will be able to conduct an autopsy on his remains. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. [emailprotected]Copyright 2011, Los Angeles Times~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Read the fascinating news story of Mr. Windecker's recovery and saw your post on Find A Grave. Israel beefs up troops after unprecedented settler rampage, Ukrainian refugees in Poland will now be charged to stay in state-funded housing, This Colombian town is dimming its lights to attract more tourists to view the night sky, Kneel and apologize!: 76 years after island-wide massacre, Taiwan continues to commemorate and debate the tragedy. By Kai Ma. (via Los Angeles Times) At the time of his disappearance, Windecker was a 44-year-old. 2023 TIME USA, LLC. Even if it was just three or four guys you didn't pay, that (news) would ripple through the workforce.". I'm more a North Lake guy, but have spent a lot of time in Tahoe while living in Reno for a decade or so. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. Oops, something didn't work. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. Some Tahoe locals insist that bodies of boaters and swimmers who drowned in Lake Tahoe have turned up Pyramid Lake and vice versa. TIL the water of Lake Tahoe is so cold that when the body of Donald Christopher Windecker was found 17 years after he went missing, it was preserved enough to conduct an autopsy and determine his cause of death. 2023 www.dispatch.com. LOS ANGELES The body of a diver who disappeared 17 years ago in Lake Tahoes deep, frigid waters has been found, authorities in El Dorado County, Calif., confirmed yesterday. Donald Christopher Windecker's body was recovered and identified this month 17 years after the Reno city planner died in a Tahoe diving accident. He may have had a heart attack or a stroke or maybe just ran out of air. Sign up for The Top of the World, delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Authorities at Lake Tahoe have identified the remains of a scuba diver who disappeared in the lake's waters 17 years ago. Almost two decades later, an unidentified group of mixed-gas divers discovered Windeckers body while exploring cliff walls almost 300 feet below the surface. Nigerians await election results in competitive race, Odesa opera house remains heart of the city amid ongoing war, Ukrainians move home and promise: Its going to go back to normal, This is my only hope: Young Nigerians gear up for presidential election. View Source Suggest Edits Memorial Photos Flowers Created by: No Guts, No Glory Added: 9 Aug 2011 Find a Grave Memorial ID: 74652674 Harriette Cole: I don't want the neighbor's kids at my house, Dear Abby: My wife said she doesn't like it, but it's part of my life, Ask Amy: I feel guilty for not speaking up about my co-worker's activities, Ask Amy: I'm your cabin housekeeper, and you apparently have no idea what I do. Now for the two myths: Lake Tahoe is a dumping ground for victims of mob hits and Chinese workers. Two points apply for our purposes: Bodies in Tahoe tend not to float but they do not stay preserved and are eventually broken down by their own bacteria as well as by marine organisms. Windecker's whole body was still in his wetsuit and boots when he was found, thus providing more evidence for how long bodies can be preserved down there. And authorities say they have used sonar and mini-subs to map the lakes bottom and never found such a graveyard. Donald Christopher Windecker's well-preserved body was found July 23 on an underwater shelf, 265 feet below the surface, The Los Angeles Times reports. Windeckers body was clad in a wetsuit and buckled into a weight belt and air tank. Jim Byers. The recovery occurred on the lake's west side, near Rubicon Point.Officials delayed releasing Windecker's name until dental records confirmed his identity. ). Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? At the time of his disappearance, Windecker was a 44-year-old former city planner from Reno and a married father of two young children. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. Edited from the Snopes forum: "My whole life, I have heard rumors that there are a lot of human bodies that have been dumped in Lake Tahoe. Select the best result to find their address, phone number, relatives, and public records. More:9 places you must eat and drink in North Lake Tahoe, More:Tahoe's historic Cal Neva Lodge set for renovation; old cabins torn down. This is a carousel with slides. On July 10, 1994, Donald Christopher Windecker set out for a dive in Lake Tahoe. FOLLOW MORE IBT NEWS ON THE BELOW CHANNELS, IBT Fast Start - Let the best of International News come to you. Hard to tell, but if hundreds of bodies are down there, no one has found them -- despite the huge money-making possibilities from such a historic find. (via Los Angeles Times) Most Popular; From NewsFeed The Taliban silenced him. He never returned. In "The Godfather 2," a character is killed on Lake Tahoe and dumped overboard. When such stories happen, myths about bodies at Lake Tahoe also resurface. Windecker's body was reportedly still donning a wetsuit and was buckled into his scuba gear and air tank. Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. Crayfish don't like deep water. The well-preserved body of Donald Christopher Windecker was discovered July 23 on an underwater shelf, 265 feet below the surface. The El Dorado County sheriffs office released the name Monday. Lake Tahoe expert and author Mark McLaughlin has his doubts. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. The scuba gear bore a certification from 1994, sheriffs officials said. They become inactive. 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