Found Deceased CA - Lucas Horan, 39, Emeryville Marina, 24 Dec 2020

[10ofRods]

People have said it was like LH to jump into cold water, but his Strava has no swims recorded, and I can't find any record of him open water swimming. So You Want to Swim in the Bay This website is a good insight to learning to open water swim, and I must say, it doesn't seem like something someone should just do without any prior experience or training. I've also seen people mention that it's usually pretty cold in the bay, even during the summer. I have to imagine a late-night swim in December would be much colder. Not "a chilly dip in the pool/lake after a hot summer day in the sun". Most Californians are seen as a little cold-adverse, so the idea that he decided to go for a swim on what is arguably an already-cold night is pretty unbelievable. MOO. I really hope he's just decided to run from his current life and start fresh.

I was just speaking with my DH (a surfer) about cold water swimming -in or out of the bay. We both agree that swimming with clothes on is more problematic than inexperienced Bay swimmers might realize, and that not having a wet suit this time of year is an even greater problem. There would have been no big waves and probably not even strong currents - but earlier, there was discussion about the area being at low tide. I think the friend said only 3 feet deep (how does a person swim well in such shallow water? a person's body is partly submerged while swimming any stroke, it would be really easy just to stand up and wade if any problems...)

Now, we seem to be theorizing that he would not have been inside the actual Marina. Which makes more sense (swimming in the actual Marina is a really strange idea to me).

If he were swimming from just outside the Marina toward the park, that makes sense - but then how did the neighbor see him get out?

Something is very strange here.

 

[JMapes]

I'm remembering this article I read a year ago about cold water swimming in the SF bay and how challenging it can be to acclimate to the temperature of both the water and the outside air.

You can also see the appeal!

The community, the ritual, the brisk air, chilly water, and having the whole city to yourself just for that moment. Reading these types of articles gives me more of a feel for the sport, the community, the folks who recreate in these somewhat unconventional ways.

For one, I thought that cold water swimming in the SF Bay would be an impossibility or a tragedy - at least without a wetsuit/drysuit, but it really is a feat of mental and physical power. These (twice my age or better) folks are true athletes!

I swam in the San Francisco Bay at 5 a.m. and now understand the hype

Not to say that there are any dots connecting Lucas to the Dolphin Club swimmers. In reading the article, I can see the appeal of spontaneously jumping into the bay for a brisk night swim to shore. Even though swimming is a very independent sport, it also seems very much a community sport, like his connection to running community.

Knowing there are some risks involved, mainly cold water shock (Cold water shock causes the blood vessels in the skin to close, which increases the resistance of blood flow. Heart rate is also increased. As a result the heart has to work harder and your blood pressure goes up. Cold water shock can therefore cause heart attacks, even in the relatively young and healthy), I do wonder if he had suffered an adverse event on his swim, preventing him from making it back to shore safely.

And always still hoping for a positive outcome.

MOO.

 

[Curious_in_NC]

I was just speaking with my DH (a surfer) about cold water swimming -in or out of the bay. We both agree that swimming with clothes on is more problematic than inexperienced Bay swimmers might realize, and that not having a wet suit this time of year is an even greater problem. There would have been no big waves and probably not even strong currents - but earlier, there was discussion about the area being at low tide. I think the friend said only 3 feet deep (how does a person swim well in such shallow water? a person's body is partly submerged while swimming any stroke, it would be really easy just to stand up and wade if any problems...)

Now, we seem to be theorizing that he would not have been inside the actual Marina. Which makes more sense (swimming in the actual Marina is a really strange idea to me).

If he were swimming from just outside the Marina toward the park, that makes sense - but then how did the neighbor see him get out?

Something is very strange here.

I agree. Something here is very strange. As @Bopit said, LH had no record of swimming on Strava, and no results in any Bay area open water swim events that I could find. It seems reasonable to think that most anyone living on a boat would be a decent swimmer, but unless the reported circumstances here are proven wrong, it all sounds like a bad idea.

 

[MissUnderstood]

Definitely some strange circumstances here!
I know all relationships are different, but it seems odd that an engaged couple would live separately, maybe he liked living on a boat. If you are marrying someone with kids, I would feel like sleeping over for Christmas to see the present unwrapping a big deal. But he was to come over at 7am. Maybe those things are not as important to some I guess.
Moo

 

[MimosaMornings]

I was just speaking with my DH (a surfer) about cold water swimming -in or out of the bay. We both agree that swimming with clothes on is more problematic than inexperienced Bay swimmers might realize, and that not having a wet suit this time of year is an even greater problem. There would have been no big waves and probably not even strong currents - but earlier, there was discussion about the area being at low tide. I think the friend said only 3 feet deep (how does a person swim well in such shallow water? a person's body is partly submerged while swimming any stroke, it would be really easy just to stand up and wade if any problems...)

Now, we seem to be theorizing that he would not have been inside the actual Marina. Which makes more sense (swimming in the actual Marina is a really strange idea to me).

If he were swimming from just outside the Marina toward the park, that makes sense - but then how did the neighbor see him get out?

Something is very strange here.

3 feet deep? That could be too shallow for draft clearance for some boats. JMO

Do we know what type or size of the boat that he was on that night?

 

[Acorunadepor]

I was just speaking with my DH (a surfer) about cold water swimming -in or out of the bay. We both agree that swimming with clothes on is more problematic than inexperienced Bay swimmers might realize, and that not having a wet suit this time of year is an even greater problem. There would have been no big waves and probably not even strong currents - but earlier, there was discussion about the area being at low tide. I think the friend said only 3 feet deep (how does a person swim well in such shallow water? a person's body is partly submerged while swimming any stroke, it would be really easy just to stand up and wade if any problems...)

Now, we seem to be theorizing that he would not have been inside the actual Marina. Which makes more sense (swimming in the actual Marina is a really strange idea to me).

If he were swimming from just outside the Marina toward the park, that makes sense - but then how did the neighbor see him get out?

Something is very strange here.

It was strange from the get go. There is only one witness, who relayed the story of him diving into the water and swimming towards the coast.

Now the witness, his neighbor, said that he made it towards shallow water. So from their he must have walked indeed.

 

[kelsie]

Lucas had some patented inventions:
Lucas HORAN Inventions, Patents and Patent Applications - Justia Patents Search

He put a lot of work into this, with his company Eureka:
Eureka’s InvisiMask™ Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Nasal Spray Protects for 10 Hours in Preclinical Results | BioSpace

 

[Lindsaym]

Sadly, this seems possibly relevant: A man’s body has washed up to shore near the Bay Bridge.

Oakland: Man's body found near Bay Bridge

 

[kelsie]

Sadly, this seems possibly relevant: A man’s body has washed up to shore near the Bay Bridge.

Oakland: Man's body found near Bay Bridge

Does anyone know how far this is from the emeryville marina?

 

[Bopit]

Does anyone know how far this is from the emeryville marina?

Very close. It’s the bridge just south of the marina.

Likely to be him, interested to see what they find. In any case, the odd behaviour surrounding this case shouldn’t be rewarded, and I hope that if we get an end to this saga it removes attention from those who loved Lucas and are trying to heal and those who are now gaining a following because of this story. All very sad. Still hoping it’s not him. MOO.

 

[MimosaMornings]

It was strange from the get go. There is only one witness, who relayed the story of him diving into the water and swimming towards the coast.

Now the witness, his neighbor, said that he made it towards shallow water. So from their he must have walked indeed.

Was it confirmed it was his boat or the neighbor’s boat he was on that night?

 

[Bopit]

Was it confirmed it was his boat or the neighbor’s boat he was on that night?

His neighbour's boat, but I wouldn't use the word confirmed. MOO.

 

[Bopit]

In case anyone wants to take a look at the location. It's about 8-10 miles away and from looking at maps it's not a very deep part of the Bay IMO.

 

[Wendyb1063]

This story has really touched me deeply. Many years ago, I was also a postdoc in the same department at UC-Berkeley as Lucas. Also many years ago, I worked as a consultant for a biotech company in Emeryville. When I traveled there, I stayed at a hotel on the Emeryville pier, and used to go jogging down the pier in the early morning. I feel much sympathy for his friends and family. I hope the story has a happier ending than it appears headed right now.

 

[Quiet Time]

Very close. It’s the bridge just south of the marina.

Likely to be him, interested to see what they find. In any case, the odd behaviour surrounding this case shouldn’t be rewarded, and I hope that if we get an end to this saga it removes attention from those who loved Lucas and are trying to heal and those who are now gaining a following because of this story. All very sad. Still hoping it’s not him. MOO.

I like the way you worded this...especially abt 'removing the attention' and 'gaining a following' because of this story.

jmo

 

[xxxyyyzzz]

Sadly, this seems possibly relevant: A man’s body has washed up to shore near the Bay Bridge.

Oakland: Man's body found near Bay Bridge

I just called the Coroner, yes this was Lucas's body. Thanks to those who posted this here.

As much as I didn't want this to be him, some closure is certainly welcome as well. I had no idea how many emotions constantly swirl around your mind when a beloved friend is missing in a situation like this.

 

[jenn83]

I just called the Coroner, yes this was Lucas's body. Thanks to those who posted this here.

As much as I didn't want this to be him, some closure is certainly welcome as well. I had no idea how many emotions constantly swirl around your mind when a beloved friend is missing in a situation like this.

Run In Peace my friend. The world has lost a good one.

I'm sorry for your loss.

 

[Wendyb1063]

Here's another map. The distance by water from the Emeryville pier to the Bay Bridge toll plaza is not far at all, maybe 3500 ft. Google Maps

 

[Mitch1]

I just called the Coroner, yes this was Lucas's body. Thanks to those who posted this here.

As much as I didn't want this to be him, some closure is certainly welcome as well. I had no idea how many emotions constantly swirl around your mind when a beloved friend is missing in a situation like this.

Run In Peace my friend. The world has lost a good one.

Very sorry for your loss

 

[cvaldez1975]

I just called the Coroner, yes this was Lucas's body. Thanks to those who posted this here.

As much as I didn't want this to be him, some closure is certainly welcome as well. I had no idea how many emotions constantly swirl around your mind when a beloved friend is missing in a situation like this.

Oh no RIP to this guy. I hope they investigate this. certianly an odd case.