‘Pirate of Fort Myers Beach’ drowned saving fiancée and dog from Ian

A man known as the “Pirate of Fort Myers Beach” is going to be remembered as a hero after losing his life while saving his fiancée and their dog by pulling them out of a flooded house during Ian.

While it’s unusual for pirates to be role models, there is an exception to every rule.

“He was a giving guy. He’d do anything for you if he could,” Mike Yost, the Pirate of Fort Myers Beach’s best friend said.

Daymon Utterback, also known as The Pirate of Fort Myers Beach, gave new meaning to being a pirate.

“He was very loyal to his friends … to a fault sometimes,” Yost said.

Utterback had a lot of inspiration from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies while developing his pirate persona.

“He was known on the beach as the pirate guy,” Yost said. “His costume was authentic. He had his rings. And he had the swords. And he had the sash.”

While the costume made it simple to get his nickname, his spirit and demeanor are why he’s loved and admired.

“They said the water’s coming up to their yard, but they’re going to be alright. And that was the last time anyone heard from him,” Yost lamented.

The relentless waves and storm surge grew in ferocity and size as time went by.

“We saw the waves just coming in … my buddy john was one of the last ones to talk to him,” Yost said. “And we said, ‘Let’s go look for Daymon.'”

When they didn’t hear from Utterback after the storm, Yost knew something was wrong.

“I went around the corner … and when I got there … and the neighbor was out there and I said where are Theresa and Daymon? And they said ‘Theresa’s up there but Daymon didn’t make it. And I said, well where is he? And they pointed over to his house and he was hanging out the window,” Yost recalled.

While saving his fiancée and their dog, Peanut, from the surge Utterback paid the ultimate price.

According to the Florida Medical Examiner report, Utterback was trying to escape the flooding himself but got caught in the window and drowned.

Utterback died with his unselfishness, affection, and loyalty, and it’s also how he will be remembered.