Nicole Kikkert
•8/31/2026
Two older residents died in reported drownings in Cape Coral pools this past week, leaving the community grieving and raising awareness about water safety for older adults. A neighbor confirmed that one of the victims, an elderly man, lived in a home on SE 40th Street. "Really nice gentleman. Always cooking for the neighbor. Very good chef. Always offering mangoes or bananas," said Aleese Tewksbury, a neighbor who shared memories of the man, identified as Dave. Tewksbury said she was home Saturday night when she saw police and emergency responders arrive at Dave's home. "I was absolutely shocked. I had no idea. I saw the cruisers and the ambulance. I assumed maybe he had just had an episode, dealing with his health issues. I had no idea it potentially could be a drowning and a death," Tewksbury said. Cape Coral police confirmed that the elderly man drowned in his pool. Just days earlier, an 89-year-old woman drowned in her pool on SW 49th Terrace. Additionally, a woman and her dog were found dead in a pool at a home in Estero last week. The Cape Coral Fire Department shared advice to help elderly residents stay safe in the water. "A complication we can see with some of our older residents is interactions with their medication. So, interactions with the sun, or possibly it makes them not have as much of an appetite. Things that can make them weak or disoriented, or all of a sudden they're asleep," said Andrea Schuch, public information officer for the Cape Coral Fire Department. "To not swim while they're taking those medications, especially combined with the heat." Schuch also recommended learning CPR and avoiding swimming alone as ways to prevent future drownings. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment, and original programming on your TV.
