A tragic chain of events unfolds as a beloved bagpiper's final moments were captured in a haunting photograph at a Hawaiian resort shortly before his death.

According to Daily Mail, Henry Frantz, 74, died during a scuba diving excursion off Maui's Wailea Resort on March 10, which ultimately led investigators to discover his missing son's skeletal remains in a treehouse at his Atlanta home.

Vacationing couple Samantha and Michael Small witnessed Frantz's final moments after spotting him unresponsive in the water. Despite their quick action in alerting emergency services, rescue efforts proved unsuccessful amid challenging ocean conditions.

Witness accounts reveal final moments

Samantha Small recounted the distressing scene as she and her husband noticed something amiss while taking photos of the scenic cove. The couple immediately sought help from a towel attendant who radioed for emergency assistance. Michael Small described the treacherous conditions, noting strong waves and high winds that complicated rescue efforts.

Emergency responders acted swiftly, utilizing a jet ski and bodyboard to retrieve Frantz from the water. Despite immediate CPR attempts, medical personnel were unable to revive him. Maui Police reported that Frantz had earlier expressed feeling exhausted to his diving group before his disappearance.

The Smalls later expressed their shock upon learning that anyone had been permitted to enter the ocean given the dangerous conditions that day. They hoped sharing their story would provide some closure to the Frantz family regarding their loved one's final moments.

Shocking discovery at Atlanta residence

Following Frantz's death, family members visiting his home to handle his affairs made a grim discovery. In the backyard treehouse, they found the skeletal remains of his son, Henry Doyle Colon Frantz, who had vanished four years earlier at age 28.

The Dekalb Medical Examiner confirmed the identity of the remains but could not determine a cause of death. Investigators have indicated they do not suspect foul play in either death. The coincidental timing of these discoveries has left the family grappling with two devastating losses.

Rebecca Frantz Culpepper, the deceased's daughter, revealed that her father maintained an active lifestyle and received few family visits due to geographic distance. After his second wife Fran's death from natural causes in 2018, Frantz had lived alone in the residence.

Legacy of Atlanta's beloved bagpiper

Frantz's impact on the Atlanta music scene extended far beyond his legal career and fossil-hunting hobby. As one of the founding members of the Atlanta Pipe Band in 1970, he performed for numerous dignitaries including Presidents Carter and Bush, King Charles, Mikhail Gorbachev, and the Dalai Lama.

His passion for bagpipes developed during his youth in Hong Kong, where his Pan Am pilot father was stationed. The Atlanta Pipe Band paid tribute to his dedication and influence on multiple generations of pipers.

Small shared Frantz's perspective on the emotional power of bagpipes:

People have to let go and for some reason, a lot of people and preachers think the pipes at a grave site… helps to let go and is a letting-go facilitator. I know that I am performing something valuable in that instance.

Fatal diving incident leads to family tragedy

Henry Frantz, a 74-year-old Georgia bagpiper and attorney, lost his life during a scuba diving excursion at Maui's Wailea Resort after reporting exhaustion to his diving group. The tragic incident occurred amid dangerous ocean conditions on March 10, despite rescue attempts by witnesses and emergency personnel.

The death investigation led family members to Frantz's Atlanta home, where they discovered the remains of his long-missing son Henry Doyle Colon Frantz in a backyard treehouse. While authorities continue investigating both cases, they have indicated no suspicion of foul play in either death, leaving the family to process the devastating dual loss of father and son.