"We literally bore them to death. Unwittingly, Dukes will forever be remembered as Tilikums second victim and SeaWorlds first major incident. DANIEL DUKES OBITUARY. They walked me through what to expect the timeline and even dealt with the cemetery and the grave diggers. Tillikum continued to be seen at SeaWorld Orlando and was still being used in shows until his death in early 2017. At that time, Dukes' death was the second involving Tilikum. ", "Everyone at North Dallas Funeral Home was very professional, kind, and caring, in all steps of the process from the first phone call to the service held at their location. First there's the question of the lack of video in Daniel Dukes' death. This page was last edited on 3 November 2021, at 02:10. That obviously causes frustration. The 36-year-old whale spent years at Vancouver Island's Sealand of the Pacific before being shipped to SeaWorld. News, stating that PETA's facts were not only inaccurate, but that SeaWorld trainers also "do not now, nor have they ever entered the water with Tilikum for this purpose". Wrong. Dukes reportedly got past security at SeaWorld, remaining in the park after it had closed. ATLANTA Lawrence Daniel Duke Sr., a retired Georgia state judge who as a young prosecutor fought for civil . We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time. He was not a trainer but a member of the public who is thought to have snuck into Tilikum's pool at SeaWorld Orlando. June 4, 2022 Little is known about Daniel P. Dukes in his early life. In May 2016, it was reported Tilikum's health was improving. The park also defends their welfare record with the orcas - saying they received "world-class care". This was not the first nor the last time Tillikum killed someone. A lawsuit has been filed against a theme park by the parents of a man whose body was found in the tank of a killer whale. Despite the existence of numerous cameras at SeaWorld, Dukes somehow ended up in Tilispool and interacted with him before dying. SeaWorld has maintained that Dukes was a vagrant who climbed into Tilikum's pool and drowned, while the coroner's report, along with animal rights advocates for Tilikum, have pointed out that Dukes' corpse was found severely mutilated by the whale. I don't think they know how often we breathe.". On the morning of July 6, 1999, the 27-year-old man was found deceased and naked draped across the massive orcas back. Steve Huxter, head of animal training at Sealand at the time, said "They never had a plaything in the pool that was so interactive. In July 1999,. 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Tilikum was responsible for three human deaths, Daniel Dukes was found drowned in Tilikum's tank in 1999, The 27-year-old made his way into the Orca's tank, Keltie Byrne was the first person killed by Tilikum in 1991, Dawn Brancheau (right) was killed by the whale in 2010, SeaWorld killer whale bit off swimmers penis & held him underwater until he drowned in horrifying attack, Warning for beachgoers as sharks spotted 'closer than ever' to US coastline with spike in sightings & string of attacks, Horror details emerge after woman plunges to her death from Anakeesta theme park chairlift as witnesses screamed to her, Arizona Mills mall evacuated after 'active shooter' fears sent customers running for cover at shops outside Phoenix, Inside Kevin Kyne's life after prison as chilling 911 calls reveal bizarre accusations in mom Diane's murder, Urgent warning as 17million Brits face up to 1,000 fine for using hosepipe as water firms impose ban, Brit drug smugglers tried to bring 570m of coke & pills into Australia by yacht - but had plans scuppered by GIANT SEAL, Lottery winners' biggest downfalls from man who invested millions in METH to prize recipient murdered by lover, Kids referred for puberty blockers after just ONE consultation at controversial gender clinic, 'Google cult leader who tried to bed 100 male followers in a DAY gives chilling warning to betrayers,' member claims, dragged down and held underwater by the powerful beast. He further argued, "I think the whale probably pulled [Dukes] down, held him underwater. Mr.. Tilikums second victim was far from a hardened criminal. The suit contends that Sea World offered no public warning that Tillikum could kill people who entered the water. If you know of an upcoming event for Daniel Duke, please add one. . A woman who answered the phone . Trujillo was a former Marine who served as a deputy sheriff for 7 . Deputy James Herrera, 51, died of. Number of people Taku died on October 17, 2007. Daniel Dukes passed away at age 83 years old on September 9, 2000. Mr. Daniel E. Dukes, of Thomas Grove Court, entered into rest April 19, 2019. [5][14][15][16] Tilikum was involved in three of those deaths. Dukes' corpse was retrieved and later identified. Thank You to everyone who helped me and my family. The scratched, bruised body of 27-year-old Daniel Dukes was found in the tank at Sea World Orlando on July 6, draped over the five-ton Tillikum, the largest killer whale in captivity. The service was beautiful never did I feel rushed or like just another customer. The case was withdrawn Friday by an attorney for the parents of Daniel Dukes, 27, whose fatal late-night swim with a killer whale in July made headlines around the country. The letter implores SeaWorld to release Tilikum from his tank, stating, "I hope it doesn't take another tragic death for SeaWorld to realize it shouldn't frustrate these smart animals by keeping them [confined] in tanks. [19] According to the coroner's report, rescue attempts were thwarted by the whales, who refused to let Byrne go even after she was believed to have fallen unconscious in the water. There is potential (given what we know about Tilikums tendencies during the aggressive incidents that HAVE been witnessed) that Tilikum prevented him from exiting the water. This lawsuit was later dropped. They claimed he was a mentally ill person who had gotten into the park afterhours and slipped into the pool and drown. All Rights Reserved. As SeaWorld claims to have no security tape footage of the pool on that night, it is unclear exactly what transpired. Dukes is generally regarded by the media as a trespasser and nuisance rather than a direct victim of Tilikum, although this perception has been challenged with the release of the documentary Blackfish. The new appeal from officers with the Met Police . Toll-free . When a Death has occurred please call us to make arrangements and to have one of our care team members assist you and your family immediately. Daniel Dukes was the second person killed by Tilikum. Funeral: Friday, November 1st at 8:30 AM in Wiseman Mortuary Chapel Viewing: Friday 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM at the mortuary. [43], SeaWorld announced in March 2016 that Tilikum's health was deteriorating, and it was thought he had a lung infection due to bacterial pneumonia. Misconception 2: Tilikum only played with his bodyafterhe died, hardly any/none of his injuriesoccurredbefore he died of hypothermia. One former trainer thinks that it's highly . Daniel Thomas Dukes Jr. Fayetteville Retired Army 1SG Daniel Dukes Jr., 87, passed October 24, 2019. Have the cremation authorization form notarized. Daniel L. Dukes, 47, a retired U.S. Navy first class petty officer, passed away Friday, Sept. 22, 2006, in a car accident in Terrell. It was an incident that may have been relegated to a flash snippet of news but for the deaths that followed his. Daniel Dukes' naked body was found in a orca tank at SeaWorld Florida One of the most bizarre incidents at SeaWorld Florida took place in July 1999, when a dead man's naked body was found. The Orange Country Sheriff's Office (OSCO) and media at the time blamed the death on Dukes, who they painted as a "marijuana-smoking drifter from South Carolina with a string of petty arrests". . The peculiarity of this case isnt that Dukes was in a tank with a whale but why his body wasnt discovered until the early hours of the morning. Daniel Dukes was a troubled individual with a history of petty thefts, marijuana use, and questionable decisions but as a human being, no death is meaningless. Daniel R. Duke, 43, of Lenox, died Thursday, May 19, 2022, from injuries sustained twenty-one years ago. He resumed performing in April 2012. Arturo Cordoba Jnr. We literally bore them to death. [31][32][33] Some witnesses reported seeing Tilikum grab Brancheau by the arm or shoulder. The most infamous death occurred when Tilikum pulled trainer Dawn Brancheau under water by her ponytail in front of a crowd at SeaWorld. They included extras and accommodations that other funeral homes charged extra for. After the incident and in response to a lawsuit filed by Dukes parents against SeaWorld,Vic Abbey, SeaWorlds executive vice president and general manager told the New York Times, Mr. Duke died Thursday as a result of the injury he suffered in December 2000, according to his obituary. [47], Tilikum sired 21 offspring in captivity, 11 of which were reported alive in November 2013.[48]. Sealand of the Pacific went defunct in 1992, largely as a result of Byrne's death and allegations surfacing of physical and mental abuse of the whales in the park. John P. Brooks #9548 Funeral Director in Charge.Regulatory Crematory Requirements | Sitemap, North Dallas Funeral Home2710 Valley View Ln, Dallas, TX 75234, United States+1 972-241-9100, "I highly recommend this funeral home and crematorium; when I had to make and pay for my brothers arrangements across state lines, Evelyn Montonya, in particular, demonstrated both compassion and professionalism and made a very sad and difficult situation much easier. He reportedly scalped her, then bit off her arm and swallowed it[34][35] during the attack. Authorities said it was unclear how Dukes stayed in the park after . There is no official written statement from Tompkins included in the report. 2023 Ric O'Barry's Dolphin Project. Having escaped with his life in the first instance, he would pay for it with the second. While at Sealand of the Pacific, Tilikum sired his first calf when he was about eight or nine years old. Daniel P. Dukes was a 27-year-old man from South Carolina and the second of three deaths attributed to Tilikum. Dan was born in Ogden, Utah to Theodore . Authorize the publication of the original written obituary with the accompanying photo. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." Psalm 116:15. Duke, a Lenox native, outdoorsman and marine biology student at the University of South Carolina, had suffered a head injury, leaving him with brain damage, local media reported. Apr 02, 1999 at 12:00 am. Next time: Another SeaWorld whale kills a trainer. Wearing only his underwear, Dukes jumped, fell or was pulled into the frigid water of Tilikum's huge tank. In the letter, Lee refers to Tilikum as SeaWorld's "Chief Sperm Bank" and asserts that the relevant process constitutes continued human contact. Scotland Yard said a new 20,000 reward was being. "They're bored," he explained. "It is with great sadness that we share 33-year-old Denver Sheriff Deputy Daniel "Duke . A SEAWORLD killer whale bit off a swimmer's penis and allegedly held him underwater until he drowned in a horrifying attack. The body was removed, and identified as Daniel Patrick Dukes, a 27 year old man. According to the Orange County Sheriffs (OCSO) Report, Case Number 99-052361, shift change occurred at 4 a.m. The body of Daniel Dukes, 27, was found naked and draped across the giant whale's body in July 1999. John Drake was the first lead singer of the Amboy Dukes, a band formed in Chicago, and he co-wrote and sang their biggest hit, 1968s "Journey to the Center of the Mind." Ways to honor Daniel Dukes's life and legacy. Unwittingly, Dukes will forever be remembered as Tilikums second victim and SeaWorlds first major incident. Among Tilikum's other offspring are: Nyar (born 1993, died 1996), Unna (19962015), Sumar (19982010), Tuar (1999), Tekoa (2000), Nakai (2001-2022), Kohana (2002-2022), Ikaika (2002), Skyla (2004-2021), Malia (2007), Sakari (2010) and Makaio (2010). Daniel Dukes: Lets Clear Up Some Misconceptions. Dan was born September 14, 1922, in Orangeburg, S.C., he was a son of the late Basil Manley and Sarah LaBoone Dukes. The Dolphin Project noted that Dukes was described by SeaWorld as a filthy man with poor hygiene spotted at the park mumbling oddly to himself, and argued against SeaWorld's unflattering description, stating, "Daniel Dukes was a troubled individual with a history of petty thefts, marijuana use, and questionable decisions but as a human being, no death is meaningless. Seaworld requested an emergency transfer of Tilikum to their facility. [25] According to the Orange County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) report, a 911 call was received from SeaWorld at 7:25a.m., at almost the exact time that Dukes' body was spotted. Over a decade after his death, police have released a new public appeal in their investigation into the murder of Daniel Duke in south east London. SeaWorld, Orlando, Florida, United States, "Trio of Deaths: The Portrayal of Daniel Dukes", "Park Is Sued Over Death of Man in Whale Tank", article "Daniel P. Dukes" is from Wikipedia, https://en.everybodywiki.com/index.php?title=Daniel_P._Dukes&oldid=2612590, Deaths due to animal attacks in the United States. Copyright 2023 Echovita Inc. All rights reserved. Daniel Dukes was found dead on the orca's back while he was in his sleeping pool. It was the nude body of a dead adult man, and the Orange County Sheriff Office was called. Echovita Inc is a registered trademark. The 27-year-old man was a SeaWorld guest who was at the park after . The same whale was linked to the death of a former Columbia resident, Daniel Dukes, 27, in 1999. On April 8,2021, Daniel (Dan) Dean Duke peacefully passed away with his loving partner and best buddy Zanna Child by his side. They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel. ", "The unexpected passing of my husband was a very difficult and trying time for my boys and I. I had the good fortune of having Abel walk us thru this process. Sadly, for Dukes' parents, cops wound up their investigation within three weeks and said their son had died as a result of poor judgement. [26], Dukes' parents filed a lawsuit against Seaworld two months after their son's death. Also Mr. Brooks took special care of my husband as he is a fellow mason. [3] He was subsequently transferred in 1992 to SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida, where he sired 21 calves throughout his life. "[29], On February 24, 2010, Tilikum killed Dawn Brancheau, a 40-year-old SeaWorld trainer. Many experts and former trainers believe Tilikum turned serial killer purely as a result of his traumatic time in captivity, with the landmark 2013 documentary Blackfish shining a light on longstanding concerns. Shortly after the incident, the whale was sold to SeaWorld. He said the marine theme park industry was 'poorly regulated' and said SeaWorld had bought Tilikum for breeding purposes, according to Orlando Weekly. It is uncertain what his exact time of death was, but he decided to go skinny dipping in Tillikum's sleep tank. Description: Autopsy of Daniel Dukes, killed by Tilikum at SeaWorld Florida in 1999. Abbey denied there was any settlement in the case. North Dallas Funeral Home which is founded and operated by John P. Brooks and Family. Of the four fatal attacks by orcas in captivity, Tilikum was involved in three: Keltie Byrne,[5]a trainer at the now-defunct Sealand of the Pacific; Daniel P. Dukes, a man trespassing in SeaWorld Orlando;[6]and SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau. Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you. The investigation into Dukes death was much shorter than the court case. Tilikum was in G-Pool when Dukes interacted with him. She is logging on the waters, Trio of Deaths: Sheriffs Report on the Death of Daniel Dukes. A wrongful death lawsuit was filed by Dukes' parents, Michael and Patricia Dukes but they withdrew the case a few weeks later. By New York Times News Service. The best poems for funerals, memorial services., and cards. [7], Daniel P. Dukes's death gained renewed attention after the 2013 release of Blackfish, where it was revealed that Dukes was the second victim of Tilikum nine years after the whale had killed Sealand of the Pacific trainer Keltie Byrne, and ten years before Tilikum had attacked and killed SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau. The experience was seamless and made it easy for my brothers friends and family to say their last goodbyes. Tilikum, an orca that died in 2017, was responsible for at least three human deaths in his lifetime. She gave birth to Tilikum's son, Nakai, on September 1, 2001. (73 years old). He allegedly waited until after closing in July 1999, at which time he stripped his clothes off to reveal swim trunks, and climbed into the colossal 11,000-poundwhale's tank. A known drifter with a love of nature and environmentalism, he was known for acts of petty theft and general vagrancy. I don't think they know how often we breathe. I will him. This is the full obituary story where you can express condolences and share memories. 431 Cumberland Street, Fayetteville, North Carolina. DANIEL DUKE OBITUARY. In our latest instalment of Why I Work at Thought Machine we chatted to Daniel 'Duke', Engineering Programme Manager at Thought Machine. You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family. With deepest sorrow we at Henryhand Funeral Home, regret to announce the passing of Mr. James J. In any case, the following morning, Dukes was discovered dead in the water by SeaWorld staff, draped over Tilikum' backside as the whale swam around. No drugs were detected in his system - each test came back negative. How did Daniel Dukes died at SeaWorld? Daniel P. Dukes was an American man from South Carolina and the second victim out of three deaths attributed to Tilikum, an orca whale belonging to aquatic American theme park chain SeaWorld. He will be deeply missed by his loving family, his devoted friends, and all the wonderful individuals who knew and loved him. If Tilikum was never kept in captivity, Byrne,. Please leave the family condolences and share memories on this website. Dukes had left his clothes folded at west the side of the poolbut after the recovery of his body, divers were forced to enter the water on another retrieval mission. Daniel Dukes snuck past security and made his was into Tilikum 's tank at the SeaWorld park in Florida where he was found mauled to death. The following injuries were sustained prior to his death: The following were sustained POST mortem: Now while it may be seen that Tilikums behavior escalated after Dukes died, he certainly didnt just sit in the corner and watch Dukes drown - while his official cause of death is hypothermia and drowning, the many many grazes (abrasions) and bruises (contusions) covering most of the body sustained prior to death suggest Tilikum was being quite aggressive with him, and certainly would not have helped him not to drown. Two orcas are beached on a concrete platform. "[49] On December 8, 2010, the SeaWorld VP of Communications responded to Lee's letter via E! According to reports, the 40-year-old was scalped and had her arm bitten off during the attack. The average age of a Dukes family member is 69. The whale had, for example, gnawed on the man's penis until it fell off, appearing to have eaten the genitalia as it was never discovered in the water, and left numerous contusions and bruises on Dukes's corpse. Thats where police found him when they responded to Garriotts 911 call, writesBrian Crecente of Kotaku.com. Marine mammal trainer Ric O'Barry argued that Dukes was probably not near Tilikum's tank with any form of malicious intent, but instead that the nature-loving man was "fascinated" by the whale and wanted to visit it. Evidence of this occurred in March 1996. She had been working with orcas Tilikum, Nootka IV, and Haida II at Sealand of the Pacific to earn extra money. Because SeaWorld claims to have no security tape footage of the pool on that night, it is unclear whether Dukes fell or climbed into Tilikum's pool. Unwittingly, Dukes will forever be remembered as Tilikum's second victim and SeaWorld's first major incident. Receive obituaries from the city or cities of your choice. [19] Tilikum was sold to the United States' SeaWorld theme park chain for performance shows and breeding. "[28], The case of Dukes' death has become a frequent example in arguments over the welfare of marine mammals in captivity. And apparently no camera would have filmed the accident, while it is known that cameras filmed the basin to monitor the animal during the night. while her eyes went wide in the water. It is possible that Dukes' death may have been captured on security camera footage. On the second occasion around 10:00 a.m., Rafferty wrote in his testimony, he observed Dukes wandering around the front gate plaza glaring suspiciously at young girls.. In 2010, Dawn Brancheau was dragged into the water by the orca during a post-show routine. Rather than scaring Dukes, the trespasser simply ignored it and walked up to Garriotts bedroom, stripped and got into bed. Just a few days before his death, he had served three days in jail for stealing a Three Musketeers bar. Several hours passed before Keltie's body could be recovered. The documentary makes clear that several of the areas that Dukes would have had to have traversed to enter Tilikum's tank were under constant video surveillance by SeaWorld, including several cameras on the tank itself. After noticing the feetdraping Tilikums left side, Dougherty said he climbed upstairs through the hatch and saw, a white male without clothes noticeablylivid [discolored, bluish appearance] and rigor mortice., Rigor mortis, meaning stiffness, is considered the third stage of death and occurs when chemical changes in the muscles stiffen the limbs. To plant trees in memory, please visit the. One former neighbor described Dukes love of nature, and apriest of the Hare Krishna temple where Dukes once resided, said the young man helped to feed the homeless and enjoyed feeding wild birds. Accordingto the Orange County Sheriffs Office (OCSO) report, OCSO received a 911 call from SeaWorld at 7:25 a.m., almost simultaneously with Dukes body being spotted. [24][19] These details were often brought up by SeaWorld. While there, Tilikum attacked and killed two more people: Daniel P Dukes and Dawn Brancheau. The Sun has reached out to SeaWorld for further comment. This article has been tagged as NSFL due to its disturbing subject matter. Of the three human lives that Tilikum claimed, Daniel Dukes death is perhaps the strangest. A man found dead and naked on the back of a killer whale in a tank at SeaWorld, Orlando was a drifter who apparently drowned after picking the wrong place to swim, police said Wednesday. Daniel Dukes snuck past security and made his was into Tilikum's tank at the SeaWorld park in Florida where he was found mauled to death. Daniel "Duke" Trujillo, 33, died on Wednesday evening from COVID complications, the Denver Sheriff Department said on Thursday. He was afforded little understanding or sympathy by many. The body of Daniel Dukes, 27, was found naked and draped across the giant whale's body in July 1999. Orange County Sheriffs Investigative Report. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one. OCSO immediately dispatched Detective Calhoun who arrived at SeaWorld eight minutes later. OCSO immediately dispatched Detective Calhoun who arrived at SeaWorld eight minutes later. He was captured in Iceland in 1983; about a year later, he was transferred to Sealand of the Pacific in Victoria, British Columbia. Dukes is known for the controversy surrounding his death; SeaWorld has consistently maintained that the man was a homeless vagrant who simply climbed into Tilikum's pool and drowned, while Dukes's coroner's report, along with animal rights advocates for Tilikum, have pointed out that Dukes's corpse was found severely mutilated by the whale. The woman bent over the tank's edge to rub Tilikum when his behavior suddenly changed and he pulled her into the water by her ponytail. Working with him was such a weight off my shoulders. He did break the law but stories from those who interacted with him suggested he also displayed a gentler side. The body that I observe had no clothes and I could not identified if the body was male of [or] female. Daniel M Dukes of Doyle, White County, Tennessee was born on February 9, 1917. Dukes' autopsy found the 27-year-old drifter had his scrotum gnawed off by Tilikum after being dragged down and held underwater by the powerful beast. Byrnes's death attracted renewed attention after the 2010 death of SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau and the 2013 documentary Blackfish, when it was revealed that Tilikum had killed Byrne before later killing Daniel P. Dukes and later Brancheau; the two deaths occurred after Tilikum had been sold by then-defunct Sealand of the Pacific to SeaWorld's parks in the United States. This page has been accessed 48,814 times. "I have an immune system," read one of his Facebook posts. Monday morning, rescuers found the body of 18-year old, Daniel Dick, who was sucked into the blowhole on Sunday. Duke talks about his experiences that primed him for . Richard Carson spoke with Chuck Tompkins, the thenvice president of animal training at SeaWorld Orlando: OCSO investigative timeline report. Wiseman Mortuary Inc. His most recent kill would be Dawn Brancheau in 2010, whose death footage has also been left unreleased to the public. Daniel Noel Duke of Dallas Texas, passed away on June 4th,2022. She had slipped into the pool by accident and witnesses said Tilikum grabbed her while two other orcas prevented park staff from reaching Keltie. And the park has always maintained Dukes died from "accidental drowning" and dismissed the incident as an example of aggression. Dukes, however, had no history of sexual deviancy and his autopsy reported zero evidence of drugs in his system at the time of his death. Next: Statements on the death of Daniel Dukes. Narnia, the matriarch orca at Moskvarium aquarium in Moscow, has died. A startled Garriott fired off a warning shot at his uninvited guest. Apparently 27-year old Daniel Dukes hid out in the park and voluntarily entered Tilikum's pool during the night. Unless you are experienced as an estate executor, you probably should hire an attorney. Their whale shows heavily emphasized the human-whale connection. Marine mammal trainer Ric O'Barry argued that Dukes was probably not near Tilikum's tank with any form of malicious intent, but instead that the nature-loving man was "fascinated" by the whale and wanted to visit it. At Sealand, he lived with two older female orcas named Haida II and Nootka IV. I find it interesting that despite his autopsy report being readily available, some people are still making up the details. 2023 Ric O'Barry's Dolphin Project. Dukes may have had issues with setting boundaries. Daniel P. Dukes was the second person to be killed by Tillikum, the largest orca held in captivity. On July 6, 1999, eight years after the first kill, SeaWorld orca trainers found the body of Daniel Dukes on Tilikum's back. The list of its authors can be seen in its historicaland/or the page Edithistory:Daniel P. Dukes. Some of his better known roles include Gideon on Daniel Boone, Ongaro in Beneath the Planet of the Apes, SRT in George Lucas' THX 1138, Joshua in The Legend of Nigger Charley, and Sheriff Ed Little in the 1980s TV series The Dukes of Hazzard. The Dolphin Project argued against SeaWorld's unflattering description of Dukes as a filthy man with poor hygiene spotted at the park mumbling oddly to himself, stating that "Daniel Dukes was a troubled individual with a history of petty thefts, and questionable decisions but as a human being, no death is meaningless. On the morning of July 6, 1999, the 27-year-old man was found deceased and naked draped across the massive orca's back. Just a few months prior to the birth of Kyuquot, Tilikum was involved in the first incident involving a death.