A Missouri family's first vacation with their toddler ended in tragedy after the young father was swept away by rough waters off the Florida coast. Dakota Jones, 31, drowned after being overwhelmed by powerful ocean waves on Thursday during the final night of his family trip to Panama City Beach with his wife Skylar Biggs Jones and their 14-month-old daughter, Brinnley, according to Fox 4 News.
Within seconds of stepping into the water one last time before heading home to Kansas City, Dakota was dragged under by violent waves. 'It happened so, so fast,' Skylar told the outlet. Rescue crews immediately responded to reports from beachgoers, but despite their efforts, they were unable to revive the young father after finding him in the ocean.
'He loved the beach, and it turned into our nightmare,' Skylar told the outlet. 'He was literally living his dream. His last days were some of his best,' she added. 'He was having so much fun. He was the most selfless, giving person ever. He was the best dad.'
Just two years earlier, in 2024, Skylar and Dakota celebrated their honeymoon along Florida's Gulf Coast, later keeping a framed beach photo to remember the joy of the trip, according to Fox. This year, they made the trip back to the Gulf Coast, bringing their daughter along for her first visit, as well as Skylar's mother and two friends. The family spent their vacation on a dolphin cruise and at the zoo, even discussing plans to make the beach getaway an annual tradition.
Around 6pm, Skylar took a selfie of the four adults as they headed out on a quiet walk from the resort down to the sandy coast. 'We were just going to dip our toes in one last time. We all say we remember looking at all of us and just thinking "Oh my God we are having such a great time,"' Skylar told Fox. 'We are all smiling and laughing.'
It was during their final swim in the ocean with other beachgoers that she said they did not realize the single red flag warning would soon point to far more dangerous conditions. Within moments, rough surf and currents - something Skylar said they had not seen during the entire trip - rocked the ocean, which had appeared calm just seconds earlier.
'I remember turning around and looking at my friend Dustina and saying, "We need to get them back. Those waves are getting huge,"' Skylar told the outlet. But they only saw Dakota for seconds as he struggled against the waves and forceful current before he suddenly went under and did not come back up. 'The gulf, the ocean it has a mind of its own,' she added. 'I don't think I'll ever look at it the same.'
Skylar said that since returning home, she has received an outpouring of love and support from her husband's railroad coworkers and from people contributing to a GoFundMe page. 'In an instant, Skylar lost her partner, best friend, and the father of their daughter. Their family's world has been completely changed forever,' the description read. 'Skylar is now facing unimaginable grief while also navigating the overwhelming responsibilities of becoming a single mother and managing the life and home they built together,' it added. 'During this incredibly difficult time, we hope to help ease some of the financial burden so she can focus on grieving, healing, and caring for her daughter.'
Funds are being used for funeral and memorial expenses, household costs, childcare, counseling and support services and helping provide stability in the months ahead. As of Wednesday afternoon, the family has raised $12,730 toward their $14,000 goal.
