‘Unimaginable loss’: Household seeks assist after physique of swimmer present in Lake Sam Rayburn

JASPER COUNTY — The huge seek for a lacking swimmer ended early Sunday morning with the restoration of his physique from Lake Sam Rayburn, and now the household has arrange a GoFundMe to assist with funeral prices and different bills.

Jasper County Sheriff Chuck Havard says at about 7:30 a.m. Sunday, a member of the Lake Rayburn Volunteer Fire Department recovered 57-year-old Leopoldo Pantoja’s physique from Lake Sam Rayburn after he went lacking Thursday afternoon whereas swimming together with his spouse.

At roughly 2:15 p.m. that afternoon, dispatchers obtained a 911 name a few lady who had been rescued from Lake Sam Rayburn close to Twin Dikes. The lady advised deputies {that a} civilian working a jet ski situated her within the water and introduced her safely to shore.

When deputies arrived, the lady defined that she and her husband, Pantoja, had been a number of hundred yards away from an island after they jumped into the water to chill off after getting sizzling. While they have been within the water, the boat drifted away and neither have been capable of attain it. She advised deputies that Pantoja had tried to swim to the boat, however had not been seen since. The boat was situated and recovered not removed from the world the place they’d turn into stranded.

Deputies and dispatchers then worthered alongside quite a few fireplace departments, Texas Game Wardens, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Texas EquuSearch, Texas DPS plane and different responding businesses in an in depth seek for Pantoja. After a three-day search, a member of the Lake Rayburn Volunteer Fire Department situated and recovered him from the lake.

“We ask that you please keep Mr. Pantoja’s family and loved ones in your prayers during this incredibly difficult time,” said Sheriff Havard. “This is never the outcome we hope for, and our hearts are with his family as they face this unimaginable loss. We also want to thank every agency, first responder and volunteer who gave their time and resources to assist in the search. We are grateful for everyone who came together in the effort to bring Mr. Pantoja home to his family.”

CLICK ON THE GoFundMe TO HELP THE PANTOJA FAMILY:

Support for Monica Pantoja

Monica Pantoja, a beloved member of the family, is dealing with an unimaginable loss after the tragic dying of her husband, Palo Pantoja, who drowned whereas swimming at Lake Sam Rayburn final Thursday. Palo was an incredible man who took nice delight in being the breadwinner for his household so Monica may keep dwelling and care for his or her boys, Heath, Aaron, and Kyson. In a single second, Monica and her kids misplaced a loyal husband, father, and supplier, and they’re now making an attempt to navigate the heartbreak and uncertainty that include such a sudden loss. Palo was a lot beloved by his household and neighborhood, and as a household and neighborhood, many are grieving alongside Monica and feeling the burden of this heartbreaking loss together with her.

On prime of grieving Palo, Monica can also be coping with well being points from being within the lake for thus lengthy and desires time to recuperate. This fundraiser will assist ease the burden of funeral bills and day by day residing prices as Monica and the boys work to get again on their toes and discover a approach ahead with out Palo. SuAnn is asking for prayers, love, and help from the neighborhood throughout this extremely troublesome time. Any donation, irrespective of the scale, will imply a lot to Monica, Heath, Aaron, and Kyson as they face the times forward and do their greatest to honor Palo’s reminiscence.