Fiancé Remembers Tulsa Man Who Drowned In City Pool After Hours

Loved ones are remembering the life of a man who died after sneaking into a city pool over the weekend. Jacob Fechner’s fiancé said he had a big personality and was helpful to everyone.

Tulsa Police said Fechner and some friends climbed a fence in the middle of the night to swim when the pool at Whiteside Park was closed.

His friends said everything was fine, but they suddenly realized Fechner was floating in the water unconscious.

Claudia Santos said she is in a state of shock following the death of Fechner. She said they were together for five years, and engaged for the last two.

“I just want people to remember him; the best version of him,” said Santos.

Santos is in Mexico, dealing with another family member’s passing. She said that is where she got the call about Fechner’s death.

Santos said Tuesday, June 13 would have been his 30th birthday.

“I didn’t know what to say. I almost passed out,” said Santos. “My cousin had to help me hold the phone to be able to talk.”

At the scene, police said CPR was given but it was too late.

City of Tulsa Parks Director Anna America said security measures are in place around the pool to keep people out after hours.

She said the pool does not have cameras, but even if it did, they likely would not have prevented the death.

“If you had cameras at over a hundred locations and you expected somebody, some place, to be watching a camera 24-7, that’s just not a realistic thing for the city to do,” said America.

The city said the pool at Whiteside Park is tailored for younger people, so it is not very deep and there are not diving boards.

Adults can stand up without going under water, but America said Fechner’s death is an unfortunate reminder that any body of water can be dangerous.

The medical examiner will look into what caused the death.

The family has set up a GoFundMe link for funeral arrangements. You can click here to access the GoFundMe.

The city said the pool will be closed until Wednesday at the earliest.