‘Yu-Gi-Oh!’ Creator Kazuki Takahashi Reportedly Died Attempting to Rescue People From Drowning

A new report appears to shed some light on what caused the death of 60-year-old Yu-Gi-Oh! creator Kazuki Takahashi. 

Stars & Stripes published a story on Tuesday about U.S. Army Maj. Robert Bourgeau, who was nominated by his command last month for the Soldier’s Medal, which is given to someone who displays an act of heroism outside of combat. Bourgeau was at Mermaid’s Grotto in Onno on July 4 when he saw a woman calling for help because her 11-year-old daughter and a U.S. soldier were caught in a riptide about 100 yards from shore.

Bourgeau, a scuba diving instructor, leapt into the water and attempted to save the girl. While working to bring her back to the shallows, he encountered her mother and rescued her as well. As Bourgeau was struggling to save these two women, he was completely unaware that Takahashi also jumped in and tried to help, according to several sworn witness statements provided by the Army. 

Bourgeau tried to go back in to rescue the soldier, who was stuck in a whirlpool, after returning the women to safety, but was exhausted. He was forced to use his remaining energy to save himself. “That was one the hardest things I have ever had to do, I let [the man] go so I could save myself,” he wrote in his witness statement. 

Bourgeau was able to guide the soldier out of the whirlpool and return to the shore. 

Kazuki Takahashi’s body was recovered two days later floating off the coast of Nago. 

“He’s a hero,” Bourgeau said of Takahashi. “He died trying to save someone else.”