A 49-year-old Californian groom drowned while on his honeymoon in Hawaii before sick thieves stole the couple’s phones, wallets and cash at the beach and their rental car
- Steven Phan drowned while snorkeling off Electric Beach in Oahu, Hawaii, while on honeymoon with wife Brittany
- As the tragedy unfolded, unresponsive thieves took the couple’s belongings and the rental car
- Their families have now launched a fundraiser who raised over $20,000
A newlywed groom drowned while snorkeling on his honeymoon in Hawaii – before thieves stole his possessions and rental car while responders administered CPR.
Steven Phan, of South Bay, Calif., was snorkeling off Kahe Point, known as Electric Beach, in Oahu while on a dream vacation with his wife Brittany when he disappeared under the water.
He was pulled ashore by a diver and bystanders tried unsuccessfully to administer CPR.
During the June 1 unrest, ruthless thieves snatched the couple’s belongings, including their mobile phones, wallets, cash and clothes – then drove off in their rental car, according to a GoFundMe page started for the family.
The pagewho had raised more than $20,000 on Monday morning, said, “Steven and his wife Brittany were on their honeymoon in Hawaii.
Steven Phan, of South Bay, Calif., was snorkeling off Kahe Point, known as Electric Beach, in Oahu while on a dream vacation with his wife Brittany when he disappeared under the water
Phan was snorkeling off Electric Beach in Oahu, Hawaii when he disappeared underwater. He was pulled ashore and rescuers tried unsuccessfully to save him
“As the snorkeling tragedy struck and Steven, Brittany’s husband of almost 3 months, drowned.
“As if it couldn’t get any worse, all of Brittany and Steven’s belongings were stolen, the thieves took their cell phones, their wallets, their money, their clothes, they even stole their rental car.”
Honolulu police have launched an investigation into the thefts.
The fundraiser added: “The loss of Steven Phan is absolutely devastating to the family and friends of Phan and Myers.
“We are all shocked, in disbelief and heartbroken by the loss of such a great man as Steven. Steven has always found a way to be a part of everyone’s life, no matter the distance. Steven was a true friend and an amazing husband, Steven will be sorely missed by all.
A fundraiser has been launched to raise money for Phan’s widow, Brittaney, and cover the costs of a funeral and memorial
A tribute to Phan said: ‘Steven always found a way to be a part of everyone’s life, no matter how far away’
Shin Tamashiro, a spear fisherman who visits the scene, said the circumstances were “unreal” and added of the thieves: “You just interrogate this person as a human being.”
“People, they don’t have the decency, the integrity, it’s just the morals I guess,” he told KITV.
John Titchen, head of Honolulu’s Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services division, added: “It’s tragic to see these circumstances like yesterday.” It is a place where we have long known that we need a greater ocean security presence.
“And so every time we see a case like this before we can settle down and come in here and settle down, it’s heartbreaking.”
The money raised through the fundraiser will cover funeral and memorial expenses and support Phan’s family.
