Family members and a local church community are deeply saddened after a pregnant woman from Washington state and her husband seemingly drowned while vacationing in Hawaii.

Relatives have identified the couple as Ilya Tsaruk and Sophia Kovalevich, hailing from Snohomish, located about 30 miles north of Seattle.

“She was excited to become a girl mom,” shared her sister-in-law Tia Tsaruk, who vacationed in Maui with the couple. “They didn’t return to us.”

Couple drowned while snorkeling; husband found 150 yards offshore

The Maui Fire Department reported that around noon on Saturday, their team and ocean safety personnel responded to a call about swimmers in trouble near the Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve’s north side.

According to officials, the couple had been snorkeling, and rescuers on a jet ski discovered the 26-year-old pregnant woman in the water. She was brought to shore where CPR was initiated. Subsequently, her 26-year-old husband was located on the ocean floor approximately 150 yards from the beach.

He was also transported to shore where CPR efforts were continued by the rescue team.

Despite the life-saving efforts undertaken, both individuals were pronounced dead at the scene, as reported by the authorities.

YSL News has reached out to the victims’ relatives and their church community for further information.

Couple leaves behind an 18-month-old son

The couple was active members of the Sulamita Slavic Church, contributing their voices to a worship group, according to a fundraising campaign established online.

“We’ve lost a beloved sister, brother, daughter, son, and a beautiful niece, but we find solace in knowing they have been welcomed into heaven,” wrote Andrew Tupikov from Roseville, Calif., in the fundraiser he set up for the family left behind, which includes an 18-month-old boy named Logan.

“At the time, Logan was staying with his aunt and uncle. Ilya and Sophia were devoted to their faith, always helping out in the church and assisting those around them,” Tupikov added.

As of Thursday, nearly 1,000 contributors had raised over $134,000 for the fundraiser.

A memorial service and celebration of life are scheduled for September 26 and 27, according to the fundraiser.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for YSL News. You can follow her on X @nataliealund.