The wife of an Australian tourist who died in Bali just nine days after their wedding has pledged to buy a defibrillator for the hospital where medical staff tried to revive him.
Jacob Vennix, 32, and his new wife, Kimberly Fuller, 38, were relaxing on Pasut beach, about 30 kilometers west of Denpasar, last Monday when tragedy struck.
He died after being dragged into the sea by a strong current while swimming in the estuary.
The father-of-two from Adelaide could not be revived when his body returned to shore.
In a touching post on Monday, Fuller thanked those who had donated to the GoFundMe set up to help her and offered support as she and her two young children grieved.
‘Thank you to all the kind humans who messaged me, offered to chat, lent a hand to the children and brought me flowers and food. “Your thoughts really brighten my spirit knowing there are so many good things in the world,” he began.
‘I would also like to thank those friends and strangers who have contributed to the GoFundMe page.
‘The money raised will help bring Jacob home and cover funeral costs.
Jacob Vennix was on his honeymoon with his new wife Kimberly Fuller (pictured together) in Bali when he tragically drowned.
“I thought I had taken out travel insurance but I didn’t and her life insurance lapsed, so the money is very much appreciated as it helps ease the pressure of adjusting to life as a single mum with a mortgage.”
Mrs Fuller added: “We are also planning to buy a defibrillator for the hospital Jacob was taken to because they didn’t have one.”
The grieving widow also shared a call to her fellow tourists about the dangers of swimming in the sea.
“Please guys, if you’re not familiar with ocean conditions, don’t be like me and assume that if they say it’s ‘okay’ to swim in it, it is,” he said.
“Other countries don’t have warning signs like we do.”
A GoFundMe page created by Mr. Vennix’s sister Claire Brown has revealed how selfless she was in helping others, even running a 12km race blindfolded just months before her death to raise money for visually impaired people.
“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.
Mrs Fuller (pictured with Mr Vennix on their wedding day) has agreed to purchase a defibrillator from the hospital where Mr Vennix was treated.
‘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.’
Mrs 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”.
His sister-in-law will also 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.”
So far more than $38,000 has been raised.
The day after his death, Fuller paid tribute to the “most beautiful human, companion and father.”
Vennix (pictured with his son and stepson) died after being swept out to sea by a strong current at Pasut beach.
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.’
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese led messages of condolences for Vennix, describing the tragedy as “deeply sad news”.
“Our thoughts are with Jacob’s wife, family and friends,” he wrote.
Friends 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 he was “a very nice guy” and it was “an honor to have gotten to know him.”
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she was “heartbroken for Mr Vennix’s wife and loved ones” (pictured, the couple on their wedding day)
A friend congratulated Fuller on her post, writing, “You found the perfect words for an unimaginable situation.”
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”.
“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.
Ms Fuller (left) remembered Mr Vennix (right) as “the most beautiful human being, partner and father”.
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.
“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.
It is understood he and Fuller married on December 21, nine days before the bizarre incident.
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.