A California musician died after jumping from a moving boat into Lake Shasta in an attempt to save his beloved dog, who survived the frightening ordeal.
The tragedy unfolded shortly before 9:15 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 11, when deputies with the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a possible drowning near the Bailey Cove Boat Launch area.
Authorities said 60-year-old Geordan White was riding in a boat near the lake’s 5 mph buoys when his dog suddenly jumped into the water.
White immediately jumped from the moving boat after the animal in an effort to catch and rescue it.
But after entering the water, White appeared to suffer some kind of medical or other emergency and began calling for help.
Someone on the boat threw him a flotation device, and White was initially able to hold onto it. For reasons that remain unclear, however, authorities said he eventually slipped beneath the surface and did not come back up.
The person who reported the incident was able to safely recover White’s dog.
A major search then began involving members of the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team, CAL FIRE and U.S. Forest Service personnel, who used boats to search the area.
Later that afternoon, dive team members located White’s body in the water.
White was also well known in Northern California’s underground music scene.
He was a musician who co-founded the experimental project Liver Cancer with Bobby Almon. The duo became known for intense, drone-heavy experimental sound art and contributed music to underground compilations and events including NorCal NoiseFest.
Following news of his death, members of the noise music community shared tributes online.
One person wrote in the Harsh Noise Facebook group, “Rest In Peace Geordan White. you were one of the good ones and you will be missed.”
White was also a co-founder of Audible Disease, a company established in 2005 that creates effect pedals, synthesizers and other electronic music devices.
The company lists Nine Inch Nails among its customers.
White had been married to his wife, Darlene, for 26 years. PEOPLE reported that it reached out to her for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
The family had already endured another devastating loss. White’s 36-year-old son, Cody Holm, died in a car accident in 2024.
Authorities said a postmortem examination will be scheduled as investigators work to determine exactly what happened after White entered the water.
The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office extended condolences to White’s family and loved ones following the tragedy.
Officials also reminded people heading out on the water to always wear personal flotation devices.