Family and friends are grieving the tragic deaths of a Washington state couple, Ilya Tsaruk and Sophia Tsaruk, who died while snorkeling on vacation in Hawaii. Sophia was pregnant, and the couple also had an 18-month-old son who was not with them at the time of their deaths. The incident occurred near Āhihi-Kīnaʻu Natural Area Reserve on Maui, where first responders found the couple unresponsive in the water. Despite efforts to revive them, both were pronounced dead at the scene.
The Tsaruks had traveled to Hawaii for a babymoon with two other couples, including Ilya’s brother and his wife. They were wearing full face snorkel masks at the time of the incident. While the exact cause of their deaths is still unknown, family members speculate that the masks may have played a role in Sophia panicking.
The couple will be remembered in a celebration of life on Sept. 26 and a burial service on Sept. 27 in Washington. Their surviving toddler is being cared for by family members, and the couple had been eagerly preparing for the arrival of their unborn daughter, whom they planned to name Melody. The local police department has not yet commented on whether they are investigating the incident. The family is devastated by the loss of their loved ones and is seeking support through a GoFundMe page set up in their honor.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com
