Sheriff: Body of man who gave life jacket to daughter recovered from Canyon Lake

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Jorge Chapa Gonzalez drowned in the Comal River on July 4, 2017, according to police. Gonzalez, 29, was found unconscious in the river by swimmers. 

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The body of a man who was last seen sacrificing his life jacket for his daughter on Canyon Lake was recovered Tuesday after a two-day search, officials with the Comal County Sheriff’s Office said.

Michael Talley, a 45-year-old from the Houston area, was on a jet ski with his daughter Sunday when the pair made a sharp turn and were flung into the water. Though both had life jackets on, Talley threw his to his daughter, who swam to shore.

Authorities were dispatched to the lake around 1:45 p.m. after Talley’s family saw him go under water. 

MORE CANYON LAKE DROWNINGS: Body of 65-year-old found floating hours before drowned teen pulled from water

The body found by a nonprofit search and rescue group positively was identified as that of Marc Ma, officials said Monday. The 21-year-old University of Nevada — Reno football player drowned last summer while paddle boarding near Homewood in Lake Tahoe. His parents, who live in Hawaii, want to pass along the message of wearing a life jacket. Despite Ma being a very strong swimmer, he was not wearing a life jacket when he fell into the lake and drowned.

Media: KCRA / KQCA US

Talley’s body was recovered near the spot where he went under  after 8 a.m.Tuesday by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Game Wardens and officials with the county.

He was pronounced dead by Justice of the Peace Judge Jennifer Saunders.

The parks department is conducting an investigation into his death.

kbradshaw@express-news.net

Twitter: @kbrad5

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