ladbible homepage
ladbible homepage
  • Home
  • News
    • UK
    • US
    • World
    • Ireland
    • Australia
    • Science
    • Crime
    • Weather
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV
    • Film
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • Netflix
    • Disney
  • Sport
  • Technology
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Money
  • Originals
    • FFS PRODUCTIONS
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Citizen Reef
  • Videos
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Pregnant mum and husband tragically drown while on holiday in heartbreaking incident
Home>News>US News
Updated 08:05 18 Sep 2024 GMT+1Published 08:03 18 Sep 2024 GMT+1

Pregnant mum and husband tragically drown while on holiday in heartbreaking incident

Ilya and Sophia Tsaruk were also parents to an 18-month-old son

Brenna Cooper

Brenna Cooper

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

A family's holiday turned into tragedy as a pregnant mum and her husband died in a suspected drowning, leaving their 18-month-old son orphaned.

Ilya, 25, and Sophia, 26, - who lived in Washington, USA - were enjoying a holiday together in Hawaii when the tragedy occurred.

According to reports from the Honolulu Star-Advertiser the couple were understood to be snorkelling near the coast of Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve, Maui on Saturday (14 September).

The couple were parents to an 18-month-old son (GoFundMe)
The couple were parents to an 18-month-old son (GoFundMe)

Advert

Local firefighters and ocean rescue teams were called to the area just after midday after receiving a report of 'swimmers/snorkelers in distress'.

Emergency services would arrive to find Sophia unresponsive in the water and rushed her to shore in order to administer CPR, later finding Ilya at the bottom of the ocean floor around 100 to 150 yards from shore and brought him back to land.

The crew then attempted to revive the couple, however they were tragically pronounced dead.

A spokesperson for the Maui fire department, Chris Stankil, added that he believed they were snorkelling due to their location but he could not be certain. Stankil also added rescuers had not recovered any snorkelling equipment from the sea.

A GoFundMe has since been set up in the couple's memory which aims to raise funds in order to cover their funeral costs.

The couple were on holiday in Hawaii (GoFundMe)
The couple were on holiday in Hawaii (GoFundMe)

Revealing that Sophia had been pregnant with a baby girl at the time, organiser Andrey Tupikov explained that the couple's son had been staying with aunt and uncle at the time at was not with his parents when the tragedy occurred.

"Yesterday, we lost a dear sister and brother, daughter and son, and beautiful niece, but we know that heaven received and gained the three of them with open arms," he wrote in both English and Russian.

"Ilya and Sophia both loved the Lord and were always serving in the church and serving people around them. Sophia had the voice of an angel, and together with Ilya, they sang in a worship group in their church."

Sophia was also pregnant with a baby girl (GoFundMe)
Sophia was also pregnant with a baby girl (GoFundMe)

Tupikov went on to write that funds raised would cover the cost of having Ilya and Sophia transported back from Hawaii as well as paying for funeral expenses.

"We are blessed to have had both of them in our lives and are left now with the sweet memories and moments that we shared together with them," he added.

"Their serving spirit and warm company will never be forgotten, and may God help us all to love and serve one another as Ilya and Sophia served."

The fundraiser has since surpassed its $100,000 (£75,877) target, with Tupikov posting an update which stated that any remaining funds would be put aside to 'help facilitate little Logan’s future life' and making sure he is 'taken care of in every way'.

Featured Image Credit: (GoFundMe)

Topics: US News

Brenna Cooper
Brenna Cooper

Brenna Cooper is a journalist at LADbible. She graduated from the University of Sheffield with a degree in History, followed by an NCTJ accredited masters in Journalism. She began her career as a freelance writer for Digital Spy, where she wrote about all things TV, film and showbiz. Her favourite topics to cover are music, travel and any bizarre pop culture.

X

@_brencoco

Recommended reads

The Chase's Darragh Ennis reveals ITV's reaction after losing £75,000 to single contestant(ITV)Bunnie Xo’s relationship status as she addresses kissing Dylan Wolf, 24, in Jelly Roll’s Nashville barInstagram/BunnieXOEngland vs Norway has unexpected surprise half-time show announcedFrancois Nel/Getty ImagesRyanair passenger was partially sucked out of plane window before wife saved him, details emergeGetty Stock

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
3 hours ago
4 hours ago
  • Francois Nel/Getty Images
    an hour ago

    England vs Norway has unexpected surprise half-time show announced

    The Americanisation of the World Cup continues

    News
  • (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
    3 hours ago

    Donald Trump’s niece issues brutal takedown on 'reality' of president

    “Donald was never as wealthy as he claimed to be,” says Mary Trump

    News
  • Juan Luis Diaz/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
    3 hours ago

    Deeper meaning behind Lamine Yamal's '304' celebration as he makes on pitch hand gesture

    The Spaniard is already something of an icon at just 18 years old.

    News
  • Instagram/kauanabilhar
    4 hours ago

    Dubai influencer falls to death from 27th apartment floor before suspicious voice note is sent

    Kauana Bilhar was known for her luxury travel content.

    News
  • Brit woman speaks out after husband dies in holiday hotspot where 10 died and 1700 fell ill
  • Two friends tragically swept out to sea while napping on beach
  • Woman makes heartbreaking plea as hair begins to fall out with no warning while on holiday
  • Couple go on holiday days after matching on Hinge and already plan to move in together