A Snohomish couple has died tragically while vacationing in Maui, according to official reports. First responders found Ilya and Sophia Tsaruk, ages 25 and 26 respectively, unresponsive during a snorkeling activity off the coast of the island.
Emergency services were called to the scene where Sophia Tsaruk was first recovered from the water and attempts were made to urgently revive her. "He was located on the bottom and brought to shore, where CPR was begun on him as well," the County of Maui Department of Fire & Public Safety reported. Despite calm weather conditions, both Ilya and Sophia Tsaruk were pronounced dead at the scene by EMS, according to KOMO News.
Left in the wake of this tragedy is the couple's young son, 18-month-old Logan, who was not present during the incident. The family was also expecting another child, with People reporting that Sophia was pregnant with a baby girl at the time of their deaths. The couple is described as highly engaged in their community and church, remembered for their service and involvement in the church choir.
An outpouring of support has been shown to the grieving family, as a GoFundMe page set up to cover funeral expenses and transportation of their bodies back home has surpassed its initial goal of $100,000. "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," the page affectionately notes. KING5 reported the funerals are scheduled for September 25.
The Tsaruk family, according to friends and those who knew them, are set to be remembered not just for their untimely passing but for the love they radiated and the help they extended to those around them.
