A 32-year-old Amazon engineer died after swimming in the cold waters of Lake Tahoe on Monday evening, according to the Washoe County Sheriff's Office. Yadessa Aga was found unresponsive at the North Sand Harbor boat ramp in Nevada.
Bystanders brought Aga to shore, where life-saving measures were performed. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The death is being investigated as an accidental drowning. Police said Aga swam toward offshore boulders around dusk before going underwater.
Aga, a software engineer from Austin, Texas, had been attending a church conference and stopped at the popular scenic spot, according to a GoFundMe page.
Lake Tahoe's water temperature remains very cold year-round due to its depth, snowmelt, and deep-water upwelling, which brings cold water from the depths to the surface. Sudden immersion in cold water can cause increased breathing rates and muscle cramping, according to Take Care Tahoe, a public education campaign. This phenomenon, known as cold water shock, contributes to an average of seven drownings in Lake Tahoe annually.
Aga is remembered for his kindness, warmth, and joy, with a GoFundMe page stating he had a humble spirit and a contagious smile. He came to the U.S. from Ethiopia to pursue graduate studies before becoming a software engineer at Amazon. He was also the son of a retired Ethiopian Airlines pilot.
As of Thursday morning, the GoFundMe had raised over $15,000 to help his family with funeral expenses. Tributes on social media described Aga as a gifted, hardworking, and promising young man who carried great hope for his family and community.