A man who tragically drowned in Bali had taken part in a 12km fun run blindfolded in the months before his death in an effort to raise money for visually impaired people.
Jacob Vennix, 32, and his new wife, Kimberly Fuller, 38, were relaxing on Pasut beach, about 30 kilometers west of Denpasar, on Monday when tragedy struck.
He died after being swept into the sea by a strong current while swimming in the estuary of Pasut Beach in Tabanan Regency, at 3:50 p.m. local time.
The father-of-two from Adelaide could not be revived when his body returned to shore.
‘All he wanted was to marry me, love me and take care of me and the children. “I’ll make sure the children know what an angel he was,” his devastated wife said after his death.
Now, a GoFundMe page created by Mr. Vennix’s sister, Claire Brown, has revealed how selfless Mr Vennix was in helping others, even running a 12km race blindfolded just months before his death to raise money for the visually impaired.
“Kimberley and Jacob met in February 2022 in a Coles supermarket when Jacob saw his now stepson Isaac playing with a guide dog donation box,” he wrote.
‘Ironically, in a twist of fate, two years later, their son Cole was born with bilateral optic nerve hypoplasia which affected his vision.
Adelaide woman Kimberley Fuller (left) wrote on Facebook that her late husband Jacob Vennix (right) “was the most beautiful human being, partner and father.”
It has since been revealed that Vennix had run the City to Bay 12km blindfolded in an effort to raise money for the visually impaired months before his death in September 2024.
‘In September 2024, Jacob toured City to Bay blindfolded to raise awareness that visually impaired people can do the same things as those with full sight.
‘Jacob and Kimberley raised money for Guide Dogs SA/NT.’
Ms Brown revealed that her brother had recently resigned from his job to “embark on a career in disability support, a career close to his heart”.
He also said his sister-in-law will need support after his death.
“Kimberley is always there to help others, lending a hand and offering support without hesitation.” she said.
“(She) now faces the unforeseen challenge of saying goodbye to Jacob and adjusting to life as a grieving single mother of two young children.”
More than 160 donations have been made, raising a total of $17,152 so far.
On Tuesday, Ms. Fuller remembered “the most beautiful human being, companion and father.”
Vinnex had planned to become a disability support worker before his death.
Fuller posted a photo of their two hands clasped together that was taken “during the last night I spent with him.”
Fuller captioned her heartfelt social media post with a photo of their hands clasped together taken “during the last night I had with him.”
‘All he wanted was to marry me, love me and take care of me and the children. “I’ll make sure the kids know what an angel she was,” she wrote.
‘Now an angel in heaven. I love you my love. Very sorry.’
Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese led messages of condolences for Vennix.
In a social media post, Albanese said it was “deeply sad news.”
“Our thoughts are with Jacob’s wife, family and friends,” he wrote.
Friends of the couple paid tribute to Mr Vennix for his wife’s post, with one saying he was “one of the kindest and most amazing gentlemen I have ever met”.
Another said Mr Vennix was “a very nice guy” and it had been “an honor to have gotten to know him”.
A friend congratulated Ms Fuller on her post, writing: “You have found the perfect words for an unimaginable situation.”
In the photo, the couple on their wedding day.
‘All he wanted was to marry me, love me and take care of me and the children. “I’ll make sure the kids know what an angel she was,” Kimberley Fuller posted on Tuesday.
We’ve been thinking about you all day! We send you all our love and we are here if you need anything.’
Another added: “The love you shared was so special and beautiful to witness, forever in our hearts and thoughts.”
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong, who represents the couple’s home state of South Australia in the Senate, said she was “heartbroken for Mr Vennix’s wife and loved ones” and offered her deepest condolences.
“I know all Australians will be thinking of them,” he said.
“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and our consular officers in Bali will continue to provide consular assistance.”
Vennix became trapped in a current of water and was swept out to sea when his wife immediately called for help.
A local fisherman rushed to help Mr Vennix in his boat, but had difficulty reaching him due to the changing currents.
Tabanan police spokesman I Gusti Made Berata said when the fisherman was finally able to drag the Australian aboard, a large wave capsized the boat.
Ms. Fuller carried a beach chair cushion into the water as a flotation device to help Mr. Vennix get to shore.
Vennix was rushed to Tabanan Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Above, police at the hospital.
“Later, the wave dragged the victim to the beach,” he said.
‘Some locals and the victim’s wife who were waiting on the beach immediately tried to save the victim.
“The victim’s condition was unconscious.”
Heartbreaking footage showed Mr Vennix’s wife carrying the large cushion of a beach chair into the water to help bring Mr Vennix to shore.
The victim’s wife performed CPR with the help of locals and he was eventually taken to Tabanan Public Hospital where he was declared dead.
It is understood he and Fuller married on December 21, nine days before the bizarre incident.
Photos showed the couple getting married at the Hard Days Night event center in Adelaide.
The couple smiled from ear to ear as they exchanged their vows in front of a celebrant.
One photo showed the couple posing happily with a marriage certificate in one of the venue’s lounges.
“Beautiful day marrying a beautiful man x,” Ms Fuller captioned a photo on Facebook.
Vennix described Fuller as “my awesome wife” and said he couldn’t “be prouder” in a heartbreaking post the day before.