Tragic Death Claims Wife of Gary Stone
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Tragic Death Claims Wife of Gary Stone Shocked by FWC Raid.
I'm Susan K Nicholls, a permanent resident of Matlacha, FL, a part of the Greater Pine Island District near Cape Coral. I was introduced to Gary and his mission through his educational videos, friends, and neighbors.
The most sincere and heartfelt condolences to Gary Stone for the loss of his wife & partner Claudia. This GoFundMe was set up to help Gary with expenses related to her death and to the legal battle he now faces.
Such a tragic ending to what started as Facebook bullying by those who had a problem with Gary’s love for manatees. Those who felt it necessary to report him repeatedly, week in and week out, putting pressure on FWC to ‘do something’ about Gary, who was guilty of nothing more than enjoying a bump from his manatee family.
It wasn’t enough that Gary had been thoroughly investigated and subsequently cleared several years ago by FWC. He continued to enjoy his manatee viewing trips and the sharing of those videos and has done nothing any different than before the investigation. But the social media trolling and complaints continued.
With enough pressure from the public, FWC launched yet another investigation and recently raided their Saint James City home, taking all of his and his wife’s computers, cameras, phones, including personal contacts. This effectively rendered them completely isolated during this pandemic.
No arrest was made but as one can imagine, the fear and pressure became overwhelming and Claudia subsequently took her own life. She even mentions the actions of FWC and her feelings of betrayal in her suicide note leaving no doubt in anyone's mind.
A shame to see valuable government resources wasted on this island couple and for such a tragic outcome to take place. Claudia felt that the Fish and Wildlife Commission and Gary were on the same team in trying to protect the manatees. Gary has credentials for scientific research, granted he was not a marine biologist, but he had over twenty years of experience teaching science and scientific techniques.
Gary was documenting and studying the habits and behaviors of the manatees in an effort to educate the public on these beautiful creatures. NBC’s Amanda Skrzypchak interviewed this manatee researcher in an effort to bring our island friend and his mission of passing on an understanding of the manatees into public view.
In 2017, Manatees were taken off the U.S. Interior Department's list of endangered species and reclassified as threatened. Two hands on the giant marine mammal, also known as a sea cow, are illegal. The Endangered Species Act forbids touching a manatee unless it touches you first, and, as Gary demonstrates, they will let you know. They always came to him. Nothing about Gary’s interactions with his beloved manatees was malicious in any way, to the contrary.
Yet, the FWC felt it necessary to rob Gary of the data and research he planned to publish. They confiscated items he and Claudia needed to survive the current pandemic and their actions resulted in the tragic death of a woman who felt more threatened than the manatees. After consultation with an attorney, Gary reports that legal fees may exceed $20,000.00. In addition, he has expenses with his wife.
Gary Stone is fighting for the rights of all of us to peacefully commune with the nature that surrounds us. He needs access to additional funds as soon as possible. For that reason, we ask that you consider donating generously. Much gratitude for your consideration.
Gary greatly appreciates your condolences and comments, finding comfort in your continued support.
I'm Susan K Nicholls, a permanent resident of Matlacha, FL, a part of the Greater Pine Island District near Cape Coral. I was introduced to Gary and his mission through his educational videos, friends, and neighbors.
The most sincere and heartfelt condolences to Gary Stone for the loss of his wife & partner Claudia. This GoFundMe was set up to help Gary with expenses related to her death and to the legal battle he now faces.
Such a tragic ending to what started as Facebook bullying by those who had a problem with Gary’s love for manatees. Those who felt it necessary to report him repeatedly, week in and week out, putting pressure on FWC to ‘do something’ about Gary, who was guilty of nothing more than enjoying a bump from his manatee family.
It wasn’t enough that Gary had been thoroughly investigated and subsequently cleared several years ago by FWC. He continued to enjoy his manatee viewing trips and the sharing of those videos and has done nothing any different than before the investigation. But the social media trolling and complaints continued.
With enough pressure from the public, FWC launched yet another investigation and recently raided their Saint James City home, taking all of his and his wife’s computers, cameras, phones, including personal contacts. This effectively rendered them completely isolated during this pandemic.
No arrest was made but as one can imagine, the fear and pressure became overwhelming and Claudia subsequently took her own life. She even mentions the actions of FWC and her feelings of betrayal in her suicide note leaving no doubt in anyone's mind.
A shame to see valuable government resources wasted on this island couple and for such a tragic outcome to take place. Claudia felt that the Fish and Wildlife Commission and Gary were on the same team in trying to protect the manatees. Gary has credentials for scientific research, granted he was not a marine biologist, but he had over twenty years of experience teaching science and scientific techniques.
Gary was documenting and studying the habits and behaviors of the manatees in an effort to educate the public on these beautiful creatures. NBC’s Amanda Skrzypchak interviewed this manatee researcher in an effort to bring our island friend and his mission of passing on an understanding of the manatees into public view.
In 2017, Manatees were taken off the U.S. Interior Department's list of endangered species and reclassified as threatened. Two hands on the giant marine mammal, also known as a sea cow, are illegal. The Endangered Species Act forbids touching a manatee unless it touches you first, and, as Gary demonstrates, they will let you know. They always came to him. Nothing about Gary’s interactions with his beloved manatees was malicious in any way, to the contrary.
Yet, the FWC felt it necessary to rob Gary of the data and research he planned to publish. They confiscated items he and Claudia needed to survive the current pandemic and their actions resulted in the tragic death of a woman who felt more threatened than the manatees. After consultation with an attorney, Gary reports that legal fees may exceed $20,000.00. In addition, he has expenses with his wife.
Gary Stone is fighting for the rights of all of us to peacefully commune with the nature that surrounds us. He needs access to additional funds as soon as possible. For that reason, we ask that you consider donating generously. Much gratitude for your consideration.
Gary greatly appreciates your condolences and comments, finding comfort in your continued support.
Organizer and beneficiary
Susan Nicholls
Organizer
Cape Coral, FL
Gary Stone
Beneficiary