Benicia Man Dies in Hawaii Snorkeling Accident

Michael Taugher, a 50-year-old Benicia resident, died in a snorkeling accident in Maui over the weekend.  Taugher was a long-time journalist who wrote extensively on water issues and the Delta for the Contra Costa Times before going to work in 2012 for the California Department of Fish and Game.

The Hawaii News Now website is reporting the Taugher was snorkeling with his family around Black Rock in the waters of Maui.  His family returned to shore but couldn’t find Taugher who was found still in the water and unresponsive. 

Before coming to the Contra Costa Times in 2000, Taugher was an environmental reporter at the Albuquerque Journal for five years.  Taugher also worked in the Lake Tahoe area as a reporter from 1989-1992.

Lisa Voderbrueggen, a former colleague at the Contra Costa Times wrote the following on Facebook: 

Unbearably sad news about my friend and former Contra Costa Times colleague Mike Taugher. He died Saturday in a snorkeling accident in Hawaii. Mike was not only a foremost journalist when it came to covering California water and Delta issues, he was truly one of the sweetest and nicest people I have ever had the good fortune to know. My grief must be a fraction of what Kim, Zack and Anna are feeling but we are heartbroken at the CCT.

There is no word yet on funeral or memorial services.

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