This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. Hopefully we'll determine what happened.". On July 10, 1994, Donald Christopher Windecker set out for a dive in Lake Tahoe. Windecker was reported missing in July of 1994 when he was scuba diving in the lake with a friend. (via Los Angeles Times) Most Popular; From NewsFeed Accompanied by a friend, Windecker planned to swim to a depth of about 100 feet. Oops, something didn't work. Windecker was first reported missing in July 1994 when he was scuba diving in Lake Tahoe with a friend, said sheriff's Lt. Bryan Golmitz. The body of Donald Christopher Windecker was found by a deep diver wedged inside of a rock crevice in Lake Tahoe, near Rubicon Point, on July 24. Jim Byers told Reuters. Maybe thats why everythings shrouded in mystery there. A thorough autopsy will be conducted, said Byers, who presumes the diver suffered a heart attack or stroke, or simply ran out of air. From a pathological standpoint its pretty incredible, he said. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. Some in the region insist that famed diver and naturalist Jacques Cousteau explored the lake in a mini-submarine in the mid-1970s and emerged pale and shaken.Asked what he'd seen and filmed on the lake bottom, Cousteau reportedly replied, "The world isn't ready for what's down there. Im Yvonne Beasley with the RGJ, and Im reviving our popular Ask the RGJ feature. This was not the case with Windecker, who was covered head to toe in a wet suit with gloves and boots. 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. Jennifer Hollander explains why they often don't float. In "The Godfather 2," a character is killed on Lake Tahoe and dumped overboard. 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. The World is a public radio program that crosses borders and time zones to bring home the stories that matter. Four more divers remain missing in the same area, which is infamous for swallowing up victims. Tidbit: The submersible that found Windecker's body is 24 x 10 x 10 inches. Some say his grandson, Philippe Cousteau Jr., visited there, but only for a 2002 speaking engagement. The well-preserved body of Donald Christopher Windecker was discovered July?23 on an underwater shelf 265 feet below the surface. 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. Windeckers body was clad in a wetsuit and buckled into a weight belt and air tank. It doesn't appear in any feeds, and anyone with a direct link to it will see a message like this one. ", Email yourquestions for "Ask the RGJ" by emailing ybeasley@rgj.com, Something else that can break down dead bodies in Lake Tahoe is marine life, which brings to mind the not-tasteful quote from the book "Animal Crossing -- Wild World": "Give a man a fish, and he'll eat for a day. 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. His body was protected from marine life and subject only to the slow work of cold bacteria. Mixed-gas scuba divers can descend much deeper than conventional scuba divers without suffering nitrogen narcosis and other problems. A person who says he was born in Carson City and lived there his whole life writes, regarding the mob dumping bodies, "My grandparents lived in Tahoe for 30+ years, and Grandma would always say that back in Tahoe's hey day when the Rat Pack was running around there, the mafia they were connected to would do the same things to people they wanted to 'get rid of.'". Depending on who is telling the story, Cousteau either encountered a Loch Ness-type monster that locals have dubbed Tahoe Tessie or came upon a bunch of dead people. Decided to do a little further research for you and found that he was born in Tulare County, California on December 19, 1949. According to police reports, his partner said Windecker appeared to have problems with his equipment and began to sink while the two were surfacing. But Cousteau never explored the lake. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. Tales persist that a longtime Tahoe fire chief responded to a drowning call and found the body of a well-preserved Native American girl, fully clothed in a 19th century ceremonial dress, floating in the lake. When such stories happen, myths about bodies. In attendance was his widow, Mary Windecker, son, Marcus Windecker, daughter, Claire Windecker, brother & wife, John & Lane Windecker, sisters, Geri and Corey Windecker and several close family friends. Heres an example of an Ask the RGJ from 2011: Lake Tahoe has been a dumping ground for the bodies of Chinese railroad workers and victims of mob killings. With a friend, he set out to explore the deep waters of Tahoe, but began to sinkalong with his equipmentas the pair started to ascend. If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. The body of a scuba diver recovered from Lake . Would dismantling Interstate 980 repair damage to Black neighborhoods? Are YOU at risk of being cancelled? Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Windecker was reported missing in July of 1994 when he was scuba diving in Lake Tahoe with a friend. Some Tahoe locals insist that bodies of boaters and swimmers who drowned in Lake Tahoe have turned up Pyramid Lake and vice versa. So it's really a story about hooker, line and sinker. He may have had a heart attack or a stroke or maybe just ran out of air. 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. Do you hate foreplay? Oops, we were unable to send the email. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. or debate this issue live on our message boards. "He was an outgoing person. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. He did not identify members of the group.The surprising condition of the body is attributable to the 35-degree water and the increased pressure at the 265-foot depth, Byers said.He dismissed speculation that Windecker had gone undiscovered for so long because his body had been caught in underwater tunnels that legend says connects Lake Tahoe with Pyramid Lake northeast of Reno.Some Tahoe locals insist that bodies of boaters and swimmers who drowned in Lake Tahoe have turned up Pyramid Lake and vice versa. Play it now! 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. Donald Christopher Windecker's body was recovered and identified this month 17 years after the Reno city planner died in a Tahoe diving accident. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. Search above to list available cemeteries. FOLLOW MORE IBT NEWS ON THE BELOW CHANNELS, IBT Fast Start - Let the best of International News come to you. Were not investigating this as a homicide,Golmitz said. Weve updated the security on the site. Is that where the rumor comes from? She's a biology professor at the University of Nevada, Reno. He dismissed speculation that Windecker had gone undiscovered for so long because his body had been caught in underwater tunnels that legend says connects Lake Tahoe with Pyramid Lake northeast of Reno. He grew up in Jamaica and moved to the United States at the age of sixteen and settled in San Diego, California. Windecker reportedly experienced difficulty with his equipment and began to sink. They insist the tunnels are the result of volcanic activity. Join Facebook to connect with Christopher Windecker and others you may know. Mr Windecker's body was discovered in 265 feet of water by a recreational diver in late July off Rubicon Point along Tahoe's west shore. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. Besides, McLaughlin says, the mob was more focused in Southern Nevada and "it's easier to bury a body out in the desert, which precludes the risk of the body washing up on the shore.". Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. Dental records were used to identify Donald Christopher Windecker, from Reno, who was reported missing in July 1994 when he was diving with a friend at the lake. Jim Byers. Thanks for your help! In cold water, the lower temperatures make them relatively inactive. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. "His remains are in amazing physical condition," said Sheriff's Sgt. El Dorado County Sheriff's spokesman Sgt. This browser does not support getting your location. 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They become inactive. Marriage & Divorce. Accompanied by a friend, Windecker planned to swim to a depth of about 100 feet.But trouble occurred toward the end of the dive as the pair began to ascend. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. Best Match Powered by Whitepages Premium AGE 20s Chris Windecker Wilmington, DE Aliases Christopher Mark Windecker Christophe Mark Windecker View Full Report Addresses Foxhill Ln, Wilmington, DE 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? he said. 2023 www.dispatch.com. Accompanied by a friend, Windecker planned to swim to a depth of about 100 feet. 2023 TIME USA, LLC. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, Some in the region insist that famed diver and naturalist Jacques Cousteau explored the lake in a mini-submarine in the mid-1970s and emerged pale and shaken. His companion tried to help but began running out of air and was forced to surface. Donald Christopher Windeckerwas born on month day1949, at birth place, California. 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. We found 3 records for Christopher Windecker in DE, PA and NJ. We never get an interesting case in the suburbs of south Orange County, meanwhile you got a fricking Loch Tess Monster. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. They planned to dive to a depth of 100 feet, but something went wrong. The scuba gear bore a certification from 1994, sheriffs officials said. He said Tahoe killings could be possible but no one has come forward with even basic details that could be investigated, such as who was killed. [emailprotected]Copyright 2011, Los Angeles Times~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Read the fascinating news story of Mr. Windecker's recovery and saw your post on Find A Grave. Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. His friend tried to help, but then began running out of air and had to leave Windecker behind. Cremated, Ashes scattered. The surprising condition of the body is attributable to the 35-degree water and the increased pressure at the 265-foot depth, Byers said. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. It has swallowed divers before, and some remain missing. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? Donald was born in in Kingston, Jamaica. 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. Its a little spooky., MORE: Giant Woman Sculpture Makes Waves in GermanLake. Try again later. Please enter your email and password to sign in. Resend Activation Email. The body was located 265' (80 meters) below the surface. Hopefully we'll determine what happened," Byers said. Death, Burial, Cemetery & Obituaries. Former Nevada state historian Guy Rocha wrote in 2006 in the Reno Gazette-Journal: "The truth is that Philippe Cousteau, Jacques' grandson, visited Lake Tahoe in April 2002, but there is no record of Jacques seeing the jewel of the Sierra, much less his being involved in an underwater expedition. A remote-controlled mini-submarine with a robotic claw brought the remains to the surface on July 27, and dental records were used to confirm Windecker's identity. 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