Police ID father who died rescuing daughter in Maui
HEIDI DESCH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 years, 7 months AGO
DEPUTY EDITOR, FEATURES Heidi Desch is the Deputy Editor at the Daily Inter Lake, overseeing coverage of arts, culture, lifestyle, community, and business. Desch leads reporters in developing stories that highlight the people, traditions, and events shaping Northwest Montana, guiding content across print and digital platforms. With more than 20 years of journalism experience, including serving as managing editor of the Whitefish Pilot, Desch is a graduate of the University of Montana School of Journalism. She has received multiple Montana Newspaper Association awards, including part of the team leading the Daily Inter Lake to Best Daily Newspaper in Montana Award and the General Excellence Award in 2024 and 2025. IMPACT: Heidi’s work connects readers with stories that deepen the understanding of the community beyond daily news. | March 29, 2018 8:59 AM
Authorities have identified the Whitefish man who died Tuesday after saving his daughter who was washed into the ocean off the coast of Maui.
The man was Brian Lazorishak, according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. The 15-year-old girl was swept away by a large wave while standing near the water and Lazorishak, 46, jumped into the ocean and got his daughter back to a rocky cliff where people used towels to pull her up the ledge.
However, when the people on shore looked back, the man was floating face down.
Lazorishak was a senior portfolio manager at Stack Financial Management in Whitefish. He joined the company in 2015.
Jim and Lisa Stack, founders of the company, on Tuesday said they are heartbroken over Lazorishak’s death.
“Brian Lazorishak was a valued and beloved member of our team who moved his family to Whitefish three years ago to join Stack Financial Management,” they said in a statement. “He lived his entire life in a heroic manner, and his family was the center of his universe. There are no words.”
Lazorishak and his family were reportedly on vacation in Hawaii.
During rescue efforts Tuesday, a helicopter and rescue watercraft pulled Lazorishak from the water about 40 feet from the shoreline. He was airlifted and firefighters began CPR, but he died at the scene.
The girl suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was released to family, The Maui News reports.
Tuesday’s accident was the 16th ocean-related death on Maui this year.
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