A New Year’s Dive Turns Tragic

On January 1, 2000, Judson Lanier, a 59-year-old experienced diver, joined six companions for a recreational dive in Smitty’s Cove, located in Whittier, Alaska. The group embarked on what was expected to be a routine underwater exploration. However, the dive took a tragic turn when the other divers surfaced and returned to their vehicles, only to realize that Judson was missing .

Unsettling Discoveries in the Water

As concern grew among the group, they noticed dive lights and glow sticks floating out of the harbor. These items, typically used for underwater visibility, were now adrift on the surface, suggesting that something had gone terribly wrong during Judson's dive . The discovery intensified the urgency to locate him, prompting immediate search efforts....Read More