GoPro helmet cam found with recording of man drowning - but he's still missing
Authorities made the horrifying discover of a GoPro helmet camera that contained a recording of a man filming his own death by drowning - but his body has not been found
Paul Rodriguez Jr., 43, inadvertently filmed his own drowning on a glacial lake using a GoPro camera mounted on his helmet.
His kayak overturned on July 11 due to a strong current from the glacier in Mendenhall Lake, Juneau, Alaska, and he went into the water.
The authorities recovered the camera but have not yet found his body. The search for his body is still ongoing.
Alaska State Troopers spokesperson Tim DeSpain said: “The recording continued showing that the kayak overturned due to a strong current coming from the glacier.”
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He explained that Mr Rodriguez's helmet was found on the lakeshore and it was turned in to troopers on Monday.
His kayak overturned due to a strong current from the glacier (AP)Juneau police on Monday said Mr 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 US Forest Service employees that a vehicle had been parked at the recreation area since July 11 and determined it was registered to Mr Rodriguez.
Mr Rodriguez’s son, Jaden Rodriguez, said his father was kind-hearted and enjoyed being outdoors, doing activities like fishing, paddle boarding and snowboarding. Mr Rodriguez also was a gifted photographer, his son said.
He said Mr Rodriguez’s life changed for the better when he found God, and Mr Rodriguez would often tell him that life is short. “He was a good person,” he added.
According to police, Mr Rodriguez's roommate reported last seeing him on July 10, and friends said a social media post by Mr Rodriguez on July 11 showed a kayak on a beach that appeared to be near Nugget Falls, which is in the recreation area and along the lake.
The search for his body continues in Mendenhall Lake (Michal Fludra/NurPhoto/REX/Shutterstock)A kayak had been found floating unattended on the lake July 11 that police said resembled the one in Mr Rodriguez's post. As authorities put the pieces together, a search got underway.
Mr Rodriguez was reportedly not wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) or suitable protective clothing for glacial water sports.
Recovery efforts are ongoing to find Rodriguez's body.
Alaska State Troopers said in a news release: "On July 11, 2023, at 2103 hours Alaska State Troopers responded to Mendenhall Lake near Mendenhall Glacier for a report of a found kayak with a dry bag attached to it.
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"The complainant reported towing the kayak to shore after finding it unoccupied and no one around it in the lake in distress. AST took possession of the items for safekeeping as there was no identifying markings on the kayak.
"In the evening of July 16, AST was notified by the Juneau Police Department that Paul Rodriguez Jr., age 43 of Juneau, was reported missing and that his vehicle was in the parking lot of the Mendenhall Visitors Center.
"In the morning of July 17, the Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Juneau Mountain Rescue and SEADOGS were utilized to search Mendenhall Lake and shoreline areas, and a chartered helicopter was used for an aerial search.
"During the search, a good Samaritan turned over a helmet with a Go-Pro camera attached, it was confirmed to have belonged to Paul Rodriguez.
"A review of the video determined Rodriguez had drown on July 11 when his kayak overturned, and he went into the glacial water.
"It is believed he was not wearing a PFD or appropriate protective clothing for glacial water sports. Next of Kin has been notified. Teams will continue to search the lake to recover the body."
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