Family and friends are grieving the tragic deaths of Sophia and Ilya Tsaruk, a young Washington state couple who passed away while snorkeling on vacation in Hawaii. Sophia, who was pregnant, and Ilya were found unresponsive near the shore at Āhihi-Kīnaʻu Natural Area Reserve on Maui, and despite efforts to revive them, they were pronounced dead at the scene. The couple left behind an 18-month-old son who was not with them at the time of the incident.
The Tsaruks had traveled to Hawaii for a babymoon with two other couples and were wearing full face snorkel masks when they decided to go snorkeling on the first day of their vacation. Family members speculate that the mask may have caused panic, but the exact cause of their deaths remains unknown. The surviving toddler is being cared for by relatives, and the couple had been eagerly preparing for the arrival of their unborn daughter, whom they planned to name Melody.
A celebration of life and burial service will be held in Washington to honor the Tsaruks, who were beloved by their community in Snohomish. Authorities have not disclosed whether they are investigating the incident further, and the family is still coming to terms with the sudden loss of their loved ones. The young couple’s enthusiasm for life and anticipation of their expanding family has left a lasting impact on those who knew them.
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