UPDATE: The City of Casper has issued a statement on the deaths of Darren and Kimberly Mizokami.

Courtesy: Linkedin
Courtesy: Linkedin
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Casper, Wyoming (September 20, 2018) – Yesterday, September 19, 2018, one of our long-time employees, Darren Mizokami and his wife Kim, passed away in an accident while on vacation in Costa Rica. “Darren was an integral part of our organization” said City Manager Carter Napier. Darren served the community for 25 years (today was his 25th service anniversary) in various capacities. His career began in 1991 as a seasonal part-time municipal worker in the Parks Division until 1993 when he was promoted to a full-time equipment operator in the Refuse Collection Division. Darren’s trajectory within the city continued upwards as he was promoted to an equipment operator II in Refuse Collection in 1996, a utility supervisor I in the Water Distribution Division in 2001 and a utility supervisor II in the Meter Services Division in 2012. Darren also was an interim supervisor for Municipal Court while the permanent supervisor was out on medical leave.
Darren’s experience in multiple divisions made him very effective for the city, which benefitted the residents as well. However, it was his positive attitude and commitment to his duties, even during difficult situations, that helped him excel and lift up those around him. Napier remembers Darren as, “always having a smile and cheery greeting.” He continued “Darren was a bright spot in our lives. He will be sorely missed by me, the organization and those who knew him. We extend our deepest condolences to Darren’s family.”
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Original Story:

A Casper couple has reportedly drowned in an incident while on vacation in Costa Rica.  Few official details are available yet, but according to the website La Teja, and the Costa Rica Star, 48-year-old Darren Mizokami and his wife, 41-year-old Kimberly Mizokami, were visiting a popular waterfall in Belén de Nosarita Wednesday with a friend when Darren began to drown in a waterfall pool.

Kim tried to swim to his rescue while the friend went for help, but Jim Batres, National Deputy Director of Risk Management for the Red Cross, said that when rescuers arrived the couple had drowned.

One of the rescue party said the water was very cloudy and it was difficult to gauge the depth, which was close to 23 feet.

We will update this story as more information becomes available.

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