Wed Sep 18 02:41:57 UTC 2024: ## Tragedy Strikes Maui: Young Couple Drowns While Snorkeling
**MAUI, HAWAII** – A pregnant woman and her husband tragically drowned while snorkeling off the coast of Maui last weekend, leaving behind their 18-month-old son.
The victims have been identified as 25-year-old Ilya Tsaruk and his 26-year-old wife, Sophia, who was pregnant with their second child. The couple, residents of Washington state, were on a babymoon in Maui with family members.
According to the County of Maui Department of Fire & Public Safety, emergency responders received a distress call around 12:02 p.m. on September 14th, reporting swimmers in trouble near the Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve.
Sophia was located unresponsive in the water and brought ashore, where CPR was administered. Shortly after, firefighters recovered Ilya’s body from the ocean floor and also performed CPR. Unfortunately, both resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, and the couple was pronounced dead at the scene.
While ocean conditions were calm at the time of the incident, family members speculate that Sophia’s snorkeling mask may have caused her distress, as she had previously experienced difficulty breathing while wearing one.
Sophia was expecting a baby girl, due in December, and the family had planned to name her Melody.
“They were prepping the baby room for her, and they were so excited for life and what it would bring for them next,” shared Taisiya Tsaruk, Sophia’s sister-in-law.
A GoFundMe campaign has been established to support the couple’s 18-month-old son, Logan, who was staying with his aunt and uncle at the time of the tragedy. The campaign aims to raise $100,000 to secure his future.
This devastating incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of the ocean and the importance of taking necessary precautions while enjoying water activities.
First Piper 