A family’s dream trip to Maui, Hawaii, turned into a tragic disaster. Ilya and Sophia Tsaruk, a young couple in their mid-20s from Snohomish, Washington, were taking a vacation before the birth of their second baby.
Sophia was expecting a baby girl, and their 18-month-old boy, Logan, was staying with relatives. The couple, known for their strong religion and active commitment in their church, were thrilled with their increasing family.
On Saturday, September 14, 2024, their vacation turned terrible. Rescuers responded to reports of distressed swimmers near Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve at 12:02 p.m.
The Maui County Fire Department reacted quickly to the situation. About 100 to 150 yards off shore, the Maui County Fire Department discovered Sophia, 26, floating unconscious. First responders rushed her from the sea to the water’s edge, where they performed CPR.
As they focused on Sophia, the search for her 25-year-old husband, Ilya, continued. Rescue teams discovered Ilya at the bottom of the ocean, not far from Sophia. They took him to shore, where they also performed CPR.
Emergency personnel unfortunately pronounced Ilya and Sophia dead on the scene despite their best efforts. Sophia’s pregnant daughter died beside them, adding to the pain.
Logan, their son, who had stayed with his aunt and uncle during the vacation, is now an orphan. The tragedy has had a devastating impact on the couple’s community and family.
Following the tragedy, we set up a GoFundMe campaign to help cover burial expenses and secure Logan’s future. Andrey Tupikov organized the fundraising and delivered the tragic news in both English and Russian.
“Yesterday, we lost a dear sister and brother, daughter and son, and beautiful niece,” Tupikov said. He addressed the family’s grief and mentioned the couple’s strong religion and affection for their town.
“Ilya and Sophia both loved the Lord and were always serving in the church and serving people around them,” Tupikov told me. The church’s worship group recognized the couple for their singing, hailing Sophia as having “the voice of an angel.”
Originally intended to raise $100,000, the GoFundMe project immediately exceeded its goal. By September 17, the project had raised approximately $105,000. We will use the donations to transport the couple’s bodies back to Washington and cover their funeral expenses.
Any additional donations will benefit Logan’s future. On September 25, relatives and friends will gather for the couple’s funeral to say their final goodbyes.
It is unclear what happened during the snorkeling trip. The Maui Fire Department reported calm surfing conditions on the day of the incident.
The area, while lovely, is unattended, with the nearest lifeguard station situated at Makena State Beach Park. A spokesperson for the Fire Department, Chris Stankil, speculated that the couple might have been snorkeling, but retrieved no equipment.
The neighborhood is currently dealing with the sad loss of Ilya and Sophia. “The Kovalevich and Tsaruk families are grieving today, and this pain will not pass soon,” Tupikov said.
Despite the severe loss, the community vows to remember the pair for their loving and loyal souls. “We are blessed to have had both of them in our lives,” Tupikov said.
The loss of Ilya and Sophia, both full of life and love, has had a significant impact. Everyone who knew them will remember their faith and kindness.
While the circumstances surrounding their deaths remain unknown, the community’s support will ensure that their memory lives on.
Logan, their small kid, will grow up in a love-filled environment. Ilya and Sophia Tsaruk’s legacy will live on through him, his family, and the communities they impacted.
The community’s love and support for Logan’s future is unwavering. Ilya and Sophia’s legacy of love, faith, and service will live on in the memory of those they left behind
Feature Image Credit: (GoFundMe) (Instagram/@sophikovv)
