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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Charlie Jones

Groom drowns in snorkelling honeymoon tragedy as thieves steal belongings from beach

A newlywed drowned in front of his horrified wife during a snorkelling honeymoon trip - and cruel thieves snatched up the couple's belongings as it happened.

Steven Phan, from California, was snorkelling in Hawaii near Electric Beach with his new wife Brittany when he got into trouble in the water on June 1.

A nearby spear fisherman pulled him onto the beach with bystanders doing CPR in a desperate bid to save him.

Emergency services were called just before 10.30am and arrived to find him in critical condition.

Sadly Steven, 49, died in front of the woman he had expected to spend the rest of his life with - but the terrible tragedy turn didn't end there.

Heartbroken friends have paid tribute to Steven (gofundme.com)

As Brittany watched people desperately try to save the man she had married three months before, someone stole her backpack with all her valuables including the rental car keys.

During the commotion on the beach, thieves stole "their cell phones, wallets, money, clothing, they even stole their car rental", according to a fundraiser set up by a family friend.

Brittany is said to now be left stranded in Hawaii while trying to get new identification to fly back to the Bay Area for her husband's funeral, reports KHON2.

Steven with a dog in happier times (eyJpdiI6IjNtUmJEcWdUWnlwWHVWaXdaSkoybWc9PSIsInZhbHVlIjoiTTViL0pydGJyMFJNTHpjbXZsTHpPZDk4Mjk1NHE4UXpBVStoMWJQUTB5cVpRWkZkSlJNbXZnK0dDdFR3NEFqUCIsIm1hYyI6ImJlODI4MGZhZjhjZmE1OTY5OWM4NjUwODA1Nzc1NGMyOTZh)

Paying tribute to Steven, the fundraiser read: "We are all shocked, in disbelief, and heartbroken at the loss of such a great man as Steven.

"Steven always found a way to be a part of everyone’s lives, no matter the distance.

"Steven was a true friend and an amazing husband, Steven will be incredibly missed by all."

The fundraiser aims to cover "funeral and memorial costs and mitigate any unforeseen costs related to Steven’s passing."

According to Steven's LinkedIn profile he worked at Apple.

A new lifeguard stand is expected to be built following public safety concerns at the beach, KITV reports.

Isabelle Nguyen said on the fundraiser that Steven was her manager for five years.

"He always encouraged me to be my best self and taught me how to be a leader," the tribute read.

"I would not be where I am today without him. I hold all our fun memories and life lessons close to my heart."

Another, Regine Quintos, said: "I only met Steven in recent years thanks to my job, and in that small amount of time he left such a lasting impression in my life and many others' as well.

"His support and guidance has brought me to this point in my life and I’m forever grateful."

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