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. [7] Description Tilikum was the largest orcain captivity. Daniel Dukes was the second person killed by Tilikum. Dukes died Tuesday, February 5, 2013. Services by Boone Funeral Home. Daniel "Duke" Trujillo. At one point Dukes was seen "wandering around the front gate plaza glaring suspiciously at young girls". arrived to work 6:55 a.m. and at 7:05 a.m., fifteen minutes before Dougherty noticed Dukes feet, began to clean the area around G-Pool. Wrong. Sincerely,", "As soon as the call was made to Mr. Wayne Baxter all of my brothers final needs were taken care of. On April 8,2021, Daniel (Dan) Dean Duke peacefully passed away with his loving partner and best buddy Zanna Child by his side. Dawn Brancheau's death was a tragedy for her family and for SeaWorld, which had never lost a trainer before. The experience was seamless and made it easy for my brothers friends and family to say their last goodbyes. By Mariomassone Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=30868819. Chicago Tribune. Texas State License #2461. Rather than scaring Dukes, the trespasser simply ignored it and walked up to Garriotts bedroom, stripped and got into bed. I can not thank them enough for all their help.". I don't think they know how often we breathe. Apparently 27-year old Daniel Dukes hid out in the park and voluntarily entered Tilikum's pool during the night. 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. Dukes apparently had sneaked . He went into the water; I think the whale probably pulled him down, held him underwater. If youre in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist. At around 9:20 a.m., lead SeaWorld diver Roger Bankston entered G-Pool with the specific purpose of photographing the items in the pool., All told, Bankston took 18 photographs. This page has been accessed 48,814 times. Daniel P. Dukes was a 27-year-old man from South Carolina and the second of three deaths attributed to Tilikum. "The thing about orcas -- it's probably the only animal in the world that when they're born they will stay with their mother for their whole life time," he said. Tilikum was in G-Pool when Dukes interacted with him. ATLANTA Lawrence Daniel Duke Sr., a retired Georgia state judge who as a young prosecutor fought for civil . This article has been tagged as NSFL due to its disturbing subject matter. His warmth, personality and talent is something he shared with all around him. Deputy Daniel "Duke" Trujillo, a 33-year-old former Marine, died Wednesday night with his family by his side, the sheriff's department said in a news release. 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. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." Psalm 116:15. Orange County Sheriffs Investigative Report. How did Daniel Dukes died at SeaWorld? "Then they put them in these concrete boxes.". As a result of their matriarchal social structure, Tilikum was abused by Haida II and Nootka IV who behaved aggressively towards him, including forcing him into a smaller medical pool where trainers kept him for protection.[12]. [3] After almost a year in a tank at the Hafnarfjrdur Marine Zoo, he was transferred to Sealand of the Pacific,[3] in Oak Bay, a suburb of the city of Victoria on Vancouver Island, Canada. Daniel Dukes breaks into my home Giving me a great story I have told ever since. Daniel Noel Duke of Dallas Texas, passed away on June 4th,2022. Have the cremation authorization form notarized. 2710 Valley View Ln, Dallas, TX 75234, United States, Appointment of Agent to Control Disposition of Remains (PDF), What to Bring to the Arrangement Conference. 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). [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. One former trainer thinks that it's highly . Two orcas are beached on a concrete platform. It was the nude body of a dead adult man, and the Orange County Sheriff Office was called. I was a hot mess due to my brothers sudden and unexpected passing. [50], Tilikum and the captivity of orcas is the main subject of the documentary film Blackfish, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2013[51] and caused a drop in SeaWorld attendance and revenue. I don't think they know how often we breathe. Her death was ruled an accident.[20][21]. You have funeral questions, we have answers. 5 Tilikum was responsible for three human deaths Credit: Alamy 5 Daniel Dukes was found drowned in Tilikum's tank in 1999 Credit: Fox News 5 The 27-year-old made his way into the Orca's tank Credit: Twitter Misconception 2: Tilikum only played with his bodyafterhe died, hardly any/none of his injuriesoccurredbefore he died of hypothermia. Sheriff Deputy Daniel Trujillo, who typically went by Duke Trujillo on social media, passed away. Witnesses recalled that Byrne screamed and panicked after realizing that one of the whales (later identified as Tilikum) was holding her foot and dragging her underwater. In 1991, 20-year-old trainer Keltie Byrne died while working with the whale, and in 1999, 27-year-old homeless man Daniel Dukes was killed after jumping into the whale pool unsupervised. His first calf born in Orlando was to Katina. This lawsuit was later dropped. It closed on July 26, less than three weeks after he was killed. On December 7, 2010, TMZ reported that SeaWorld's president, Terry Prather, received a letter from PETA and Mtley Cre member Tommy Lee referencing SeaWorld's announcement regarding limiting human contact with Tilikum. 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. Part four in a series revisiting human deaths caused by SeaWorld orcas and the OSHA-SeaWorld case. In the 21st century, it's not just urns and gravestones anymore. ", "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. Daniel Dukeswas a troubled individual with a history of petty thefts, marijuana use, and questionable decisions but as a human being, no death is meaningless. "They're bored. In 1999, Tilikum began training for artificial insemination. Unwittingly, Dukes will forever be remembered as Tilikum's second victim and SeaWorld's first major incident. We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time. They help to make the process as easy and comforting in my opinion as to be expected, I would recommend their service to anyone. "[23] No official motive of the three whales has ever been established, as the case was over twenty years old by the time it resurfaced in relation to the death of Dawn Brancheau. (73 years old). A wrongful death lawsuit was filed by Dukes' parents, Michael and Patricia Dukes but they withdrew the case a few weeks later. Dukes had been trespassing, and labeled the suit as crazy as they come. Furthermore, Abbey added,Not only was that incredibly bad judgment to try to take a dip with a killer whalebut, remember, this water is 50 degrees, ice-cold water.. Just a few months prior to the birth of Kyuquot, Tilikum was involved in the first incident involving a death. Unwittingly, Dukes will forever be remembered as Tilikum's second victim and SeaWorld's first major incident. [8] He measured 22.5 feet (6.9m) long and weighed about 12,500 pounds (5,700kg). [8] Having escaped with his life in the first instance, he would pay for it with the second. 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. Wearing only his underwear, Dukes jumped, fell or was pulled into the frigid water of Tilikum's huge tank. There are no events at this time. Don Pedro Colley (August 30, 1938 - October 11, 2017) was an American actor. In October 1943, Dan entered the U.S.. His history unfolding in the media, the Orlando Sentinel described Dukes as a marijuana-smoking drifter from South Carolina with a string of petty arrests., Written testimonies to OCSO provided by SeaWorld staff who had observed Dukes in the marine park on July 5thalluded to his attire and lack of personal hygiene. Visitors said Dukes was mumbling to himself looked dirty and had a foul odor about him, and an aquatic life supporter named Rafferty said he spotted Dukes twice. According to OSHA, Dukes death never warranted an incident report by SeaWorld. He resumed performing in April 2012. Wearing only his underwear, Mr. Dukes either jumped, fell or was pulled into the whale's huge tank. At some point in the night on July 6, 1999, Dukes, who had hidden in the SeaWorld theme park, emerged from elsewhere in the park and went to the whale pool where Tilikum resided. Funeral arrangement under the care ofNorth Dallas Funeral Home. Ways to honor Daniel Dukes's life and legacy. Bolded are the common misconceptions, and the responses come direct from the autopsy which you can find here. 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. It's surprising how much a musical selection can affect mourning. Michael Dougherty, a physical therapist with SeaWorld, was the first to discover Dukes upon his arrival at work. Dukes death was ruled an accidental drowning andTilis second victim, almost as if he had deserved his death, was swiftly painted as an unstable person by SeaWorld staff and local Orlando media. 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. Despite the existence of numerous cameras at SeaWorld, Dukes somehow ended up in Tilispool and interacted with him before dying. Richard Carson spoke with Chuck Tompkins, the thenvice president of animal training at SeaWorld Orlando: OCSO investigative timeline report. "There have been no incidents as described in this article since these changes were made more than a decade ago. Next: Statements on the death of Daniel Dukes. Apr 02, 1999 at 12:00 am. Awatch located in the NW area of the pool; swim trunks also found in the north with the drawstring located in the southern area. Vic Abbey, Sea World's executive vice president and general manager, said Mr. Dukes had been trespassing, and said the the suit was ''as crazy as they come. Keltie Lee Byrne was a Canadian student, animal trainer and competitive swimmer. He was a 1999 graduate of Trotwood Madison . Anyone can read what you share. He will be deeply missed by his loving family, his devoted friends, and all the wonderful individuals who knew and loved him. 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. She gave birth to Tilikum's son, Nakai, on September 1, 2001. [42] He was paired with his grandson Trua and was often seen performing alongside him during the finale of the new One Ocean show. "[29], On February 24, 2010, Tilikum killed Dawn Brancheau, a 40-year-old SeaWorld trainer. Echovita Inc is a registered trademark. Several hours passed before Keltie's body could be recovered. [3], Tilikum was heavily featured in CNN Films' 2013 documentary Blackfish, which claims that orcas in captivity suffer psychological damage and become unnaturally aggressive. [4] 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. The whale continued to play around with Dukes' body until the following morning when Tillikum was found parading Dukes' lifeless body on his back. This past October has been a whirlwind of, A story of loss and human betrayal As soon I enter the stadium, I see her. [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. Dukes had a troubled life, notorious among peers for acts of petty theft and marijuana usage, as well as general vagrancy. Description: Autopsy of Daniel Dukes, killed by Tilikum at SeaWorld Florida in 1999. Their whale shows heavily emphasized the human-whale connection. "[28], The case of Dukes' death has become a frequent example in arguments over the welfare of marine mammals in captivity. He further argued, "I think the whale probably pulled [Dukes] down, held him underwater. Tillikum continued to be seen at SeaWorld Orlando and was still being used in shows until his death in early 2017. Tilikum during a 2009 performance at SeaWorld, "Intentions of Whale in Killing Are Debated", "Tilikum, the orca featured in Blackfish doc and blamed for deaths of 3 people, has died", "Why Tilikum, SeaWorld's Killer Orca, Was Infamous", "Tilikum, SeaWorld's Killer Orca, is Dying", "Inside Seaworld The Tilikum Transaction", "Trio of Deaths: The Portrayal of Daniel Dukes", "Seven Years On: Revisiting the Death of Dawn Brancheau", "Footage Shows Captive Orca Ramming Its Head Against Gate", "Three SeaWorld orcas 'driven mad by captivity' ganged up to kill student, 20, in horrifying attack", "Orca trainer saw best of Keiko, worst of Tilikum", "Tilikum's former trainer says dying orca was once 'gentle, passive', "Park Is Sued Over Death of Man in Whale Tank", "SeaWorld trainer killed by killer whale", "Killer whale Tilikum to be spared after drowning trainer by ponytail", "SeaWorld Curator: Ponytail Likely Caused Fatal Killer Whale Attack", "New details emerge in death of SeaWorld Orlando trainer in orca incident", "SeaWorld Killer Whale: 4 Things To Know About Tilikum And The Captive Cetacean Controversy [VIDEO]", "30-minute nightmare in orca's death grip", "Tilikum is dead, but his story lives on", "Blackstone chief blames Brancheau for own death, contradicting Seaworld", "SeaWorld Trainer Killed by Whale Had Fractured Jaw and Dislocated Joints", "US Labor Department's OSHA cites SeaWorld of Florida following animal trainer's death", "Tilikum, Subject of Documentary 'Blackfish,' Very Ill", "SeaWorld: Tilikum, orca that killed trainer, has died", "Tilikum the SeaWorld orca's cause of death revealed", "SeaWorld whale that 'killed' three still being used to breed, former worker claims", "Tommy Lee Is Against Whale Masturbation. Katina gave birth to Taku on September 9, 1993. The Sun has reached out to SeaWorld for further comment. The body was removed, and identified as Daniel Patrick Dukes, a 27 year old man. Steve Huxter, head of animal training at Sealand at the time, said "They never had a plaything in the pool that was so interactive. I would highly recommend working with Abel and North Dallas Funeral Home. Police officers searching the apartment detected . Daniel M Dukes of Doyle, White County, Tennessee was born on February 9, 1917. 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. At some point in the night on July 6, 1999, Daniel P. Dukes, who had hidden in the SeaWorld theme park, emerged from elsewhere in the park and went to the whale pool where Tilikum resided. The following morning, his body was discovered in the water by SeaWorld staff, draped over Tilikum's backside as the whale swam around. 431 Cumberland Street, Fayetteville, North Carolina. '', ''Not only was that incredibly bad judgment to try to take a dip with a killer whale,'' Mr. Abbey said, ''but, remember, this water is 50 degrees, ice-cold water. Dukes' corpse was retrieved and later identified. Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you. Ric O'Barry's Dolphin Project is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible as authorized by law. "Additionally, the study of orcas in our care by our scientists and third-party organisations has directly informed the worlds knowledge of and ability to protect whales in the wild.". Abbey denied there was any settlement in the case. Daniel Dukes was Tilikum's first victim Credit: Fox News He entered Tilikum's tank unclothed and by the next morning had been mauled to death. 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. [citation needed] In December 2011, he was put on hiatus from the shows following an undisclosed illness. It was later revealed in Blackfish that Dukes's coroner's report recorded severe injuries inflicted by Tilikum. It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Daniel Duke of Dallas, Texas, who passed away on June 4, 2022, at the age of 73, leaving to mourn family and friends. 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. Following his arrival at SeaWorld, Tilikum sired many calves with many different females. Consider offering these words of comfort if you're not sure what's appropriate. Daniel 'Duke' Trujillo, 33, died on Wednesday from COVID-19 complications. [8], Unlike Byrne and Brancheau, who were both respected and beloved animal trainers, Daniel P. Dukes was a homeless vagrant with a history of petty crime, mental health issues and drug usage. 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. Daniel R. Duke, 43, of Lenox, died Thursday, May 19, 2022, from injuries sustained twenty-one years ago. His death came just a year after SeaWorld announced they were ending their breeding program following years of campaigners railing against them. 2023 Ric O'Barry's Dolphin Project. "They're bored," he explained. "[49] On December 8, 2010, the SeaWorld VP of Communications responded to Lee's letter via E! Born March 24, 1979 in Columbus, OH to C. W. & Lizzie Potts Dukes. He will be deeply missed by his loving family, his devoted friends, and all the wonderful individuals who knew and loved him. Copyright 2023 North Dallas Funeral Homes | All Rights Reserved. Horrified SeaWorld employees and trainers found the mauled man the next morning. 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. They gave me the time I needed and I appreciate that so much! Who did Tilikum kill first? Tilikum (c.December 1981[1] January 6, 2017), nicknamed Tilly,[2] was a captive male orca who spent most of his life at SeaWorld Orlando in Florida. The investigation into Dukes death was much shorter than the court case. Featured Image: YouTube.com/Television Archives. David Kessler's top 4 tips for dealing with holiday grief. This page was last edited on 3 November 2021, at 02:10. Click here for a message from the founder, John P. Brooks. Sadly, for Dukes' parents, cops wound up their investigation within three weeks and said their son had died as a result of poor judgement. Daniel Dukes was found dead on the orca's back while he was in his sleeping pool. Authorities said it was unclear how Dukes stayed in the park after . Unwittingly, Dukes will forever be remembered as Tilikums second victim and SeaWorlds first major incident. It is rumored that he was a drifter who wanted to enter the water with a whale. His black nylon swimming trunks were noted to have the crotch and inner leg seams torn open. Tili had avulsed [to separate, cut, or tear off by avulsion] Dukes pubic area. 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. Daniel Thomas Dukes Jr. Fayetteville Retired Army 1SG Daniel Dukes Jr., 87, passed October 24, 2019. DANIEL DUKES OBITUARY. In our latest instalment of Why I Work at Thought Machine we chatted to Daniel 'Duke', Engineering Programme Manager at Thought Machine. Dukes was the son of Columbia real estate agents Mike and Pat Dukes. The same whale was linked to the death of a former Columbia resident, Daniel Dukes, 27, in 1999. This is the full obituary story where you can express condolences and share memories. Monday morning, rescuers found the body of 18-year old, Daniel Dick, who was sucked into the blowhole on Sunday. It is uncertain what his exact time of death was, but he decided to go skinny dipping in Tillikum's sleep tank. 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. Dukes's body was discovered at 7:20a.m., OCSO received a 911 call at 7:25a.m. and was on scene by 7:33a.m. Dukes's corpse was retrieved and later identified as Daniel P. Dukes by official name. Unwittingly, Dukes will forever be remembered as Tilikum's second victim and SeaWorld's first major incident. OCSO immediately dispatched Detective Calhoun who arrived at SeaWorld eight minutes later. All Rights Reserved. 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". By October, the lawsuit had been withdrawn. [5][14][15][16] Tilikum was involved in three of those deaths. "I have an immune system," read one of his Facebook posts. Dukes autopsy report, posted here by Tim Zimmermann, offers a glimpse into what Dukes endured during his time with Tilikum. Death of Daniel Dukes. The incident escaped all surveillance and eluded all visual checks by SeaWorld observers whose core job involved performing wellness checks on the whales around the clock. A unique and lasting tribute for a loved one. On July 6, 1999, eight years after the first kill, SeaWorld orca trainers found the body of Daniel Dukes on Tilikum's back. 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. Dan was born in Ogden, Utah to Theodore . Published by Fayetteville Observer from Oct. 28 to Oct. 31, 2019. Start like this: pic.twitter.com/nPSNOtZ8S3, Richard Garriott (@RichardGarriott) December 18, 2015. Park Is Sued Over Death of Man in Whale Tank, https://www.nytimes.com/1999/09/21/science/park-is-sued-over-death-of-man-in-whale-tank.html. 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. Featured Image: Dawn Brancheau and Katina. They walked me through what to expect the timeline and even dealt with the cemetery and the grave diggers. This lawsuit was later dropped. When paramedic Jimmy Rotondi arrived on scene at 7:30 a.m., he stated that Dukes had, no pulse or respirations and he also confirmed the presence of lividity and rigor mortis. In early 2000, Kasatka who resided at SeaWorld San Diego was artificially inseminated using his sperm. 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 whale's semen was collected and used for artificial insemination to breed a number of captive orcas for SeaWorld's shows and also for its sister park, Loro Parque in Spain. A known drifter with a love of nature and environmentalism, he was known for acts of petty theft and general vagrancy.