But Richard Mann, her partner of eight years, was a geologist. He didn’t believe in folklore; he believed in sonar readings and sediment cores. When a sinkhole opened up on the Bare family property, exposing a limestone cavern flooded by the creek, Richard saw only a research opportunity.
The next morning, they stood at the edge of the sinkhole. The water was the color of strong tea, and it smelled of rotten leaves and ancient minerals. Richard donned his dry suit, clipped on his dive light, and secured a GoPro to his helmet. Bella Bare -- Richard Mann Split Open by Monster C...
Bella held the rope that fed into his harness. She watched him disappear—first his shoulders, then his helmet, then the last bubble of his regulator. The rope went slack, then taut, then slack again. But Richard Mann, her partner of eight years,
“Thirty minutes,” he said. “If I’m not back, pull the line.” The next morning, they stood at the edge of the sinkhole