Mauricio Rodas-García

Martha Gonzalez, 58, was wading in the Long Island Sound off of Norwalk, Connecticut, on July 31, 2022, when she lost her footing and struggled to swim amid a strong outgoing tidal current. Her husband, Mauricio Rodas-García, a 60-year-old Norwalk jeweler, was on shore when he saw her signal for help. Despite being unable to swim, Rodas-García entered the water, wading 15 feet and stretching his arm out to Gonzalez before he, too, lost his footing. He attempted to swim toward Gonzalez but ultimately submerged. A nearby sailing school employee entered the water and a bystander atop a paddleboard both made their way to Gonzalez. A third bystander helped them to the shore where emergency personnel responded and received Gonzalez. She was unharmed. Rodas-García was unresponsive on the surface of the water when he was located by bystanders moments later. He was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He had drowned.