The body of a former Mixed Martial Arts fighter has been pulled from a Texas lake in a tragic turn of events, mere hours after emergency services rescued two young children from the same waters.
Elias Gois, a 31-year-old Brazilian MMA veteran, was discovered in Lake Travis, Austin, on Tuesday afternoon. The grim discovery followed a major search operation after the children were found alone and distressed on a rocky ledge near the lake's edge.
The sequence of events began when Travis County first responders received an emergency call around 1:30 PM local time. They arrived to find two young boys, believed to be aged approximately six and eight, who had been pulled from the water by a heroic bystander.
"The children were found on a rock shelf, clearly in a state of shock and distress," a police spokesperson confirmed. "Our immediate priority was ensuring their safety and well-being."
As the children received medical attention, a concerning question emerged: where were their parents or guardians? This prompted investigators to initiate a search of the surrounding area and waters.
Tragically, the search concluded with the recovery of Mr. Gois's body from the lake. While formal identification is pending, authorities have confirmed they believe the deceased to be the father of the two rescued children.
Elias Gois had a documented career in mixed martial arts, competing primarily in his native Brazil before relocating to the United States. His professional record showed six wins and five losses, with his last recorded bout occurring in 2019.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding this tragedy remains ongoing. Authorities have stated there were no obvious signs of foul play, but the exact sequence of events that led to both children and their father being in the water remains unclear.
Lake Travis, a reservoir on the Colorado River, is a popular recreational spot but has known sudden drop-offs and changing currents that can pose significant risks to swimmers.
The two children are reportedly now in the care of family members as the community mourns the loss of the former athlete.
