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Written by: A. Smith
Published March 26, 2025 @ 12:57 PM ET
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. – Days after a well-known Atlanta bagpiper, attorney, and father died in a scuba diving accident in Hawaii, his family located the remains of his son, who had been missing for 4 years, inside a backyard treehouse at his home.
Henry Frantz Jr., 74, was widely recognized for performing at events across Atlanta, earning him the informal title of “bagpiper of Decatur.” He was a founding member of the Atlanta Pipe Band, which has played for dignitaries including Presidents Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush, Prince Charles, and the Dalai Lama.
Frantz died on March 10 in a scuba diving incident while on vacation in Maui. Authorities there are still investigating the accident.
Six days after his death, Frantz’s family went to his home on Garden Lane in Decatur to settle his affairs. While there, they discovered skeletal remains inside a backyard treehouse, Decatur Police Lt. John Bender said.
Frantz’s daughter confirmed the remains belonged to her brother, Henry Doyle Colon Frantz, who had been missing for four years. He was 28 when he disappeared.
The DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s Office is working to confirm his identity through dental records or DNA testing. Chief Deputy Investigator Jess Dillard said there were no obvious signs of injury or trauma, and foul play is not suspected.
The Atlanta Pipe Band honored Frantz’s legacy in a social media post, describing him as an inspiration to generations of pipers.
“His dedication, kindness, and high standards inspired generations of pipers,” the band wrote. “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.”
Investigations into both deaths remain ongoing.