Honoring the Life of Christopher Ankele

On the evening of May 25th, our dear friend, son, and brother, Christopher Ankele was lost to the ocean in Puerto Escondido, Mexico. It was a tragic accident in powerful conditions that changed in an instant—one that serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the risks the ocean can carry. After days of tireless efforts led by his friends, family, and the local community, his body was found.

Chris was the kind of person who left people better than he found them. Intelligent, confident, and inspiring, he had a steady presence that grounded everyone around him. His warmth, loyalty, and love for life ran deep. Whether you knew him for a season or a lifetime, you felt seen by him. The love for Chris stretches across countries and communities.

It’s in that same spirit that we now come together for his family, as they navigate the immense emotional and logistical challenges of losing a loved one far from home. Our hope is to allow Chris’s family the space to grieve, make decisions with clarity, and honor the life he so passionately lived.

Thank you for standing with Chris and his family. Your support is a testament to the way he showed up for others—and to the enduring weight of a life that truly mattered.