People forget that our mayor back in the 80s was busted for cocaine trafficking. 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.". ", Other versions name the filmmaker as Jacques Cousteau, who is reported to have said "the world is not ready" for what is down there or, alternately, "a stop was quickly put on the mission by some powerful people.". News reports at the time of his disappearance described Windecker as a 44-year-old former city planner from Reno, Nev., who set out for a dive on July 10, 1994. 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. Lake Tahoe is the second deepest lake in the United States and the tenth deepest in the world, with a maximum depth measured at 1,645 feet. He may have had a heart attack or a stroke or maybe just ran out of air. "His remains are in amazing physical condition," said Sheriff's Sgt. We have set your language to Year should not be greater than current year. "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. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. Authorities at Lake Tahoe on Monday solved the mystery of a scuba diver who disappeared 17 years ago in the mountain lakes deep, frigid waters. Do not sell or share my personal information. 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", He points out that the transcontinental railroad was completed in 1869 and "Surviving photographic documentation and (Central Pacific Railroad) Chinese payrolls confirm that large numbers of Chinese were still on the CPRR payrolls as successful track workers well into the 1870s.". Windecker's body was discovered in 265 feet of water by a recreational diver in late July off Rubicon Point along Lake Tahoe's west shore. Just remember, you do not recognize the bodies in the water. His companion tried to help but began running out of air and was forced to surface. Specifically: His ashes spread over Lake Tahoe, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/74652674/donald-christopher-windecker. Donald Christopher Windeckerwas born on month day1949, at birth place, California. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. Just was out there this past summer visiting and had an amazing lunch at Sunnyside. Email questions to me at ybeasley@rgj.com -Ill hunt down the answers and post them. 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. 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. Windecker had died 17 years previously while scuba diving and due to the lake's cold. 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.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.But Cousteau never explored the lake. cemeteries found in will be saved to your photo volunteer list. 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. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. "All of our bodies have bacteria that live in them," she said. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. The 700-year-old Coronation chair that has been used for the crowning of monarchs since the 14th century is getting a makeover ahead of Charles' big day, Atlanta's wealthiest suburb inches closer to secede from the crime-ridden city and could be up for a vote as soon as TODAY, Three Kansas City police officers are shot during standoff: 'We've been reminded too much lately how dangerous police work can be', Damage control? Share this memorial using social media sites or email. It has been said that some independent filmmaker got ahold of some deep sea diving machine and found where all these people were at and went down to see for himself so he could film a documentary on it. 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. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. Donald Christopher Windecker. "Windecker's body was discovered by a group of "mixed gas" divers exploring cliff walls, Byers said.Mixed gas divers can safely descend to about 350 feet without suffering nitrogen narcosis, or "rapture of the depths," among other problems. Just beyond the ledge where Windecker's body was found, the lake plunges to a depth of 1,645 feet.News reports at the time of Windecker's disappearance described him as a 44-year-old former city planner from Reno who set out for a dive on July 10, 1994. A remote-controlled mini-submarine with a robotic claw raised the remains July 27. 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. 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.'". The Reno Gazette-Journal reports the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office said Monday the body of Donald Christopher Windecker, 44, a city planner in Reno, was pulled from the lake after a diver . On July 10, 1994, Donald Christopher Windecker set out for a dive in Lake Tahoe. Chinese immigrants in Truckee were targeted by the 601 vigilante group and the Caucasian League. They planned to dive to a depth of 100 feet, but something went wrong. 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. 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.". The body was located 265' (80 meters) below the surface. View Source Share Save to Suggest Edits Memorial Photos Flowers Created by: Athena Accompanied by a friend,. Even if it was just three or four guys you didn't pay, that (news) would ripple through the workforce.". 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. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. Some Tahoe locals insist that bodies of boaters and swimmers who drowned in Lake Tahoe have turned up Pyramid Lake and vice versa. Stay up to date with our daily newsletter, Canada's Trudeau Denies Report That Liberals Told To Drop Candidate Over China Ties, After Italian Migrant Boat Wreck, Police Arrest Three Alleged Traffickers, 14 Chinese Military Aircraft Tracked Around Country, China's Annual Parliament To Implement Xi's Tightening Grip, Revolut Auditor Flags Concern About $576 Million Of Revenue In Long-delayed 2021 Accounts. But Cousteau never explored the lake. Four more divers remain missing in the same area, which is infamous for swallowing up victims. His friend tried to help, but then began running out of air and had to leave Windecker behind. 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. Windeckers body was discovered by a group of mixed gas divers exploring cliff walls, Byers said. Other stories about oddities beneath Lake Tahoe have been debunked by experts. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Donald Christopher Windecker I found on Findagrave.com. Maybe thats why everythings shrouded in mystery there. he asked. "Why not take them to Donner Lake, which is much closer? El Dorado County Sheriff's spokesman Sgt. He grew up in Jamaica and moved to the United States at the age of sixteen and settled in San Diego, California. 772 comments Jim Byers told Reuters. His companion reportedly tried to help, but was forced to surface after he began running out of air. Lake Tahoe is on the California-Nevada border. According to police reports, his partner said Mr Windecker appeared to have problems with his equipment and began to sink while the two were surfacing. And authorities say they have used sonar and mini-subs to map the lakes bottom and never found such a graveyard. Try again. Drag images here or select from your computer for Donald Christopher Windecker memorial. (via Los Angeles Times) At the time of his disappearance, Windecker was a 44-year-old. He points out that the railroads were happy to pay the Chinese laborers because "they were a reliable workforce, so why alienate them? Give a fish a man, and he'll eat for weeks!". It doesn't appear in any feeds, and anyone with a direct link to it will see a message like this one. Among those said to populate Lake Tahoes dark depths are Chinese laborers who helped build the railroad across the Sierra Nevada in the 1860s. To use this feature, use a newer browser. based on information from your browser. When he came back up, he said he would not film it because the world was not ready to see what the U.S government did to these poor people. Just beyond the ledge where Windeckers body was found, the lake plunges to a depth of 1,645 feet. 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. Please reset your password. The recovery occurred on the lake's west side, near Rubicon Point.Officials delayed releasing Windecker's name until dental records confirmed his identity. Then there's the story of Chinese laborers. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. Were not investigating this as a homicide, Giant Woman Sculpture Makes Waves in GermanLake, 13-Year-Old Girl Finds Porn On New Cell Phone, These Are North Koreas 28 State-Approved Hairstyles, Mountain Dews Dub the Dew Online Poll Goes Horribly Wrong. "It was pretty scary for them," Byers said. 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. Four more divers remain missing in the same area, which is infamous for swallowing up victims.Windecker's body was clad in a wetsuit and buckled into a weight belt and air tank. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. Accompanied by a friend, Windecker planned to swim to a depth of about 100 feet. Windecker reportedly experienced difficulty with his equipment and began to sink. (via Los Angeles Times). Donald Christopher Windecker's body was recovered and identified this month 17 years after the Reno city planner died in a Tahoe diving accident. Are YOU at risk of being cancelled? Im struggling to make the connection between the last sentence and the rest. Donald Christopher Windecker's body was recovered and identified this month 17 years after the Reno city planner died in a Tahoe diving accident. Oops, we were unable to send the email. When such stories happen, myths about bodies at Lake Tahoe also resurface. Just beyond the ledge where Windeckers body was discovered, the lake plunges to a depth of 1,645 feet. Can you control your erections? The scuba gear bore a certification from 1994, sheriffs officials said. . Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. The scuba gear bore a certification from 1994, officials with the El Dorado County Sheriff's Department said. 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