His last words: 'I'll be right back'

Before Daniel Joshua Farris of Yuba City made his fatal leap into a frigid pool below Beale Falls, "he told me how much he loved me and hugged me," his wife of five months said Monday.

"I'll be right back," were among his last words, Jessica Farris said.

Nevada County Sheriff's Department divers recovered Farris' body Sunday about 40 feet below the surface of the pool in the Spenceville Wildlife Area. The 22-year-old had gone there the prior afternoon with Jessica and her sister, Nicole Going.

Jessica, also 22, described her husband as "an adrenaline junkie" and a bit of a showoff. He lived for the adrenaline highs, she said.

According to Going, Farris jumped into the pool from an 80-foot cliff and "belly-flopped." She said he either broke his neck or "got the wind knocked out of him" and never surfaced.

Drowning was the probable cause of death, according to the Nevada County Coroner’s Office. An autopsy was performed Tuesday morning. Toxicology tests have been ordered to rule out alcohol as a factor in the death, an office spokeswoman said.

Going said she ran for help because her cell phone was not working. Meanwhile, Jessica repeatedly dove into the numbing water. "I couldn't dive deep enough," she said. "I cramped up and had to get out but I slipped and fell back in."

Going said she finally was able to call for help about 5:30 p.m. Rescue workers arrived at 7 p.m. but didn't find the body, she said.

Divers came Sunday about 11 a.m. and, using a remotely controlled vehicle, found the body about 90 minutes later.

Divers told Jessica that even if she had reached her husband in time, both would have ended up drowning, she said.

A detective described the water as "extremely cold," The Union newspaper of Grass Valley reported.

Jessica described her husband as athletic. He played competitive soccer, was in a Yuba City bowling league — and was a good swimmer, she said.

"He was the best husband and father ever. He could make anybody happy," she said.

Daniel loved to cook — things like steak and bacon-wrapped asparagus — and bake, she said.

"He was good at everything," she said.

The couple had three children: Danni Farris, Richie Farris and Riley Castle. Other survivors include his mother, Lori Farris of Linda.

Daniel's best friend since childhood was Billy Spain, 22.

"He'd do anything for me. If you weren't brave enough to do something, he'd push you to do it, or do it for you," Spain said.

"All in all, a good guy," he said.

To help the family with expenses, car washes are being held all day today at Kentucky Fried Chicken, 1135 North Beale Road, and at Taqueria Cuevas, 1450 North Beale Road.

"He was just the best guy. He'd go out of his way to help anybody," Going said.

Contact Appeal-Democrat reporter Rob Young at 749-4710 or at ryoung@appealdemocrat.com.