Atlanta Man’s Death in Hawaii Leads to Gruesome Discovery at Home

ATLANTA — A tragic and unusual series of events has left an Atlanta family reeling after the unexpected death of a beloved musician led to the discovery of human remains at his home.

Henry Frantz Jr., a well-known local bagpiper, passed away on March 10 while scuba diving in Hawaii. He was 74. His family, arriving at his Garden Lane residence on March 16 to settle his affairs, made a startling discovery—a skeleton inside a treehouse in the backyard.

Authorities later identified the remains as belonging to Frantz’s son, Henry Doyle Colon Frantz, who had been missing for four years. He was 28 at the time of his disappearance.

“He left home one day, and he apparently came back,” Frantz’s daughter, Rebecca Frantz Culpepper, said of her late brother.

Both deaths are under investigation. Maui police are examining the circumstances of Henry Frantz Jr.’s death, while the DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s Office is handling the case of his son. However, officials have stated that foul play is not suspected in either case.

“We are working on confirmation of his identification at this time,” said Jess Dillard, Chief Deputy Investigator with the DeKalb Medical Examiner’s Office. “We are pretty certain we have his identity, just waiting on dental or DNA [confirmation]. The remains were skeletonized. No obvious signs of injury or trauma.”

Henry Frantz Jr. was a founding member of the Atlanta Pipe Band, established in 1970. He performed at major events and for high-profile figures, including Presidents Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush, Prince Charles, Mikhail Gorbachev, and the Dalai Lama.

The Atlanta Pipe Band honored Frantz’s legacy in a social media tribute, describing him as a dedicated musician and an inspiring mentor.

“His dedication, kindness, and high standards inspired generations of pipers,” the tribute read. “Beyond music, Henry’s curiosity led him to travel the world, explore fossils, and pursue scuba diving. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten.”

As investigations continue, the Frantz family is left to grieve not just one, but two heartbreaking losses.