Last August 23, 2025, authorities responded to an alert on Eagle Mountain Lake, near Fort Worth, Texas, about two children calling for help from a small boat.
The children – under 12 years old and presumed to be the children of Jimmy (Jim) Chaikong, a former mixed martial arts fighter and musician – were quickly rescued by a witness in the area. However, their father was nowhere to be seen.
The following day, he was found dead during an intensive search operation.
Chaikong, 50, built a track record as an MMA fighter, facing the likes of Mike Rio in events such as G-Force Fights: Bad Blood 4 in 2010.
After retiring from the ring, he dedicated himself to music and took on a new role as founder and director of the Texas State Songwriters Championship, a platform dedicated to promoting emerging musical talent.
The tragedy of former wrestler and musician Jimmy Chaikong
The shock of his death has generated numerous expressions of affection among friends and colleagues. One friend told CBS News:
“He was a determined man, always steady, always positive. I was honored to be his friend, if only for a brief moment.”
Another source said that, for him, his greatest accomplishment was the time he spent making his children laugh every day.
Tarrant Regional Water District authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Although the circumstances leading to the tragedy are still unclear, it is known that the boat was found abandoned and without a trace of Chaikong after the rescue of his children.
For many Hispanics in the United States, messages such as this one resonate deeply: the loss of a loved one, especially when children are involved, stirs empathy and collectivity. Jimmy Chaikong represented a model of dedication in both sports and the arts, and above all as a father.
His death is also a wake-up call on the importance of safety in aquatic activities, especially with minors present.
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