Heartbreaking new details of why Amazon software engineer was in Lake Tahoe when he drowned

An Amazon software engineer from Texas, who drowned in Lake Tahoe, was in Nevada to visit friends and attend a religious conference before tragedy struck, loved ones said.

32-year-old Yadessa Emiru Aga from Austin died after he was pulled unresponsive from the waters of Lake Tahoe Monday evening, according to authorities with Washoe County Sheriff’s Office. He worked as a software engineer for Amazon in the city, according to his LinkedIn.

“While returning from a church conference and spending time with close friends in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, Yadessa went home to be with his Lord and Savior following a tragic accident,” according to a GoFundMe from family and friends.

The fundraiser set up by Yadessa’s close friends, his family and his church community, said Aga had a “humble spirit, contagious smile, and generous heart” and that he made everyone feel loved and welcomed. 

“He was deeply cherished by his family, friends, church, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.”

“Yadessa loved exploring God’s creation, traveling, and creating meaningful memories with those around him,” it added, noting that the most important thing to him was his faith.

“His faith shaped the way he lived, loved, and served others.”

The message noted that they were working alongside “Yadessa’s employer to help cover a portion of the costs of bringing him home and making funeral arrangements in both the United States and Ethiopia.”

Friends said the funds raised will help cover the remaining expenses and give Aga a dignified final resting place.

Deputies with the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the North Sand Harbor boat ramp at around 8 p.m. Monday following reports of a possible water rescue at the popular Nevada state park on Lake Tahoe’s eastern shoreline.

Investigators said Aga had swum toward a group of offshore granite boulders around dusk before disappearing beneath the surface and becoming unresponsive.

Before deputies arrived, bystanders entered the rescue effort and brought Aga back to shore, where sheriff’s deputies immediately began CPR. Emergency medical personnel continued resuscitation attempts after reaching the scene.

“Despite those efforts, the victim was pronounced deceased at the scene,” the sheriff’s office said in a news release.

Authorities are treating the incident as an apparent accidental drowning.

Justin Norton, operations manager for the Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office, told SFGATE that the investigation is still active.

“The case is pending further investigation, so I have no records or cause of death to release at this time,” Norton said in an email.

Officials said the investigation remains ongoing, and his official cause of death has not yet been determined.

The fatal incident comes just weeks after another person died near Sand Harbor in June after reportedly experiencing distress in the water.

The medical examiner’s office said completed examination reports typically take between 10 and 12 weeks.