AK AK - Paul Rodriguez Jr., 43, Mendenhall Lake, GoPro helmet filmed own drowning, search continues, Juneau, 11 July 2023

[imstilla.grandma]

FILE - Chunks of ice float in Mendenhall Lake in front of the Mendenhall Glacier on April 29, 2023

An Alaska man inadvertently filmed his own drowning on a glacial lake with a GoPro camera mounted on his helmet, but authorities who recovered the camera have not yet found his body, officials said Tuesday.

Alaska State Troopers said teams would continue to search Mendenhall Lake for the body of Paul Rodriguez Jr., 43, of Juneau.

Troopers said a helmet with a camera attached to it that was confirmed to have belonged to Rodriguez was recording on July 11 when his kayak overturned and he went into the water.

“The recording continued showing that the kayak overturned due to a strong current coming from the glacier,” Troopers spokesperson Tim DeSpain said by email.

DeSpain said the helmet was found on the lakeshore. He said it was turned in to troopers on Monday.

Juneau police on Monday said Rodriguez was believed to have gone missing on July 11 somewhere in the vicinity of the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area. Police received a report Sunday from U.S. Forest Service employees that a vehicle had been parked at the recreation area since July 11 and determined it was registered to Rodriguez.

Rodriguez’s son, Jaden Rodriguez, said his father was kindhearted and enjoyed being outdoors, doing activities like fishing, paddleboarding and snowboarding. Rodriguez also was a gifted photographer, his son said.

He said Rodriguez’s life changed for the better when he found God, and Rodriguez would often tell him that life is short.

“He was a good person,” he said.

Alaska man inadvertently films his own drowning on a glacial lake with helmet GoPro, officials say

Troopers said a helmet with a camera attached to it that was confirmed to have belonged to the man was recording on July 11 when his kayak overturned and he went into the water.

www.kptv.com

*Alaska is so very magnificent. My son-in-law took his fire station there to hunt and fish. My daughter sent me all the beautiful photos he sent her. Life is short Mr. Rodriguez. RIP

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Alaska State Troopers and local Juneau police used helicopters and specially trained sea dogs in a huge search of the area — but it was a passing “good Samaritan” who found the missing man’s camera-fitted helmet on the lakeshore Monday, officials said.

“A review of the video determined Rodriguez had drown on July 11 when his kayak overturned, and he went into the glacial water,” a daily dispatch noted of the day the small craft was found.

Still-missing kayaker inadvertently filmed own drowning with a GoPro after tumbling into Alaska lake

The distressing footage led officials to declare Paul Rodriguez Jr., 43, dead even as they continue looking for his body.

nypost.com

 

[lizziginne]

How sad if he'd been wearing a life jacket this may have had a different outcome

 

[PNW]

This is so sad

 

[ohemgee.kay925]

Very sad. Almost a blessing in disguise, meant in the kindest way possible, that the footage was discovered... I imagine that without it, his family may have been left wondering for a very long time what occurred when he didn't return home.

Condolences to all who loved Paul.