A pregnant mother and husband vacationing in Maui drowned while snorkeling, leaving behind their toddler son.
On Sept. 14, the couple was snorkeling along the north side of Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve when Maui firefighters and ocean safety personnel responded to a call about swimmers in distress around 12 p.m., according to a Maui County Fire Department Sept. 17 Facebook post.
First responders arrived at the scene and led a jet ski rescue mission, locating the unresponsive pregnant 26-year-old in the water before returning for the 25-year-old male who was reported to be with her. Officials said he was located 100-150 yards from shore.
CPR was administered to the couple but ultimately unsuccessful, and the victims were pronounced dead at the scene, the Maui County Fire Department said.
A GoFundMe account organized by Andrey Tupikov from Roseville, California, identified the victims as Ilya and Sophia Tsaruk.
Tupikov wrote on the page that Sophia was pregnant with a baby girl. The couple leaves behind their 18-month-old son, Logan, who is staying with his aunt and uncle.
“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.” Tupikov wrote.
As of Sept. 20, over 1,000 donations had been made to GoFundMe, raising $147,481 of its $150,000 goal. The fundraising page states that the money will go towards transporting the couple’s bodies from Hawaii, funeral expenses, and any following fees.
Tupikov announced that the celebration of life and funeral service are set for Sept. 26 and 27.
“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. 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.” Tupikov wrote.