Shattered wife’s heart-wrenching vow after her husband of nine Jacob Vennix days drowned on their Bali honeymoon

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 washed out to 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 heartwarming post on Monday, Ms Fuller thanked those who had donated to the GoFundMe set up to help her and provided support as she and her two young sons grieved.

‘Thank you to every kind person who sent me messages, offered to chat, helped out with the boys and brought flowers and food. Your thoughts really lighten my spirit when I know there is so much good in the world,” she began.

‘I would also like to thank the friends and strangers who contributed to the GoFundMe page.

“The money raised will help bring Jacob home and cover funeral costs.

‘I thought I had booked travel insurance but I didn’t and his life insurance ran out so the money is much appreciated to help ease the pressure of adjusting to life as a single mother with a mortgage.’

Mrs Fuller added: ‘We are also planning to buy a defibrillator for the hospital Jacob was taken to as they didn’t have one.’

The grieving widow also shared a plea to fellow tourists about the dangers of swimming in the sea.

“Please guys, if you’re not familiar with the state of the ocean, don’t be like me and assume that when they say it’s ‘fine’ to swim in, it is,” she said.

“Other countries don’t have warning signs like we do.”

A GoFundMe page set up by Mr. Vennix’s sister Claire Brown has revealed how selfless he was in helping others – including running a 12km race blindfolded to raise money for the visually impaired just months before his death.

“Kimberley and Jacob met in a Coles supermarket in February 2022 when Jacob saw his now stepson Isaac playing with a guide dog donation box,” she wrote.

‘Ironically, through a twist of fate, two years later their son Cole was born with bilateral optic nerve hypoplasia that affected his vision.

‘In September 2024, Jacob led the City to Bay blindfolded to raise awareness that visually impaired people can do the same things as people with full vision.

‘Jacob and Kimberley raised money for the Guide Dogs SA/NT.’

Mrs Brown revealed that her brother had recently left his job to ‘take up a career in disability services, a career that is close to his heart’.

Her sister-in-law will also need support after his death.

‘Kimberley is always there for others, helping out without hesitation and offering support.’ 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 boys.”

More than $38,000 has been raised so far.

The day after his death, Mrs Fuller paid tribute to ‘the most wonderful human being, partner and father’.

Ms Fuller captioned her heartfelt social media post with a photo of their intertwined hands, taken ‘on the last night I had with him’.

“All he wanted was to marry me and love me and the boys and take care of me. I will make sure the boys know what an angel he was,” she wrote.

‘Now an angel in heaven. I love you, my dear. I’m so sorry.’

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese led the condolences to Mr Vennix, describing the tragedy as “such deeply sad news”.

“Our thoughts are with Jacob’s wife, family and friends,” he wrote.

Friends paid tribute to Mr Vennix at his wife’s post, with one saying he was ‘one of the kindest, most amazing gentlemen I have known’.

Another said he was “such a nice guy” and that it was “an honor to have known him.”

A friend complimented Ms Fuller on her post, writing: ‘You found perfect words for an unimaginable situation.

‘We’ve been thinking about you all day! We’re sending all our love and we’re here if you need anything.”

Another added: “The love you shared was so special and beautiful to see, forever in our hearts and minds.”

Foreign 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,” she said.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and our consular officers in Bali will continue to provide consular assistance.”

Mr Vennix ended up in a crack and was swept into the sea when his wife immediately called for help.

A local fisherman rushed to help Mr Vennix into his boat, but had difficulty reaching him due to the changing currents.

Tabanan police spokesperson I Gusti Made Berata said when the fisherman was finally able to drag the Australian on board, a large wave capsized the boat.

“The victim was later swept away to the beach by the wave,” he said.

“Some locals and the victim’s wife, who were waiting on the beach, immediately tried to rescue the victim.

“The victim’s condition was unconscious.”

Heartbreaking footage shows Mr Vennix’s wife carrying the large cushion of a beach chair into the water to help bring Mr Vennix ashore.

The victim’s wife performed CPR with the help of locals and he was eventually taken to Tabanan Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

It is understood he and Mrs Fuller were married on December 21, nine days before the bizarre incident.

Photos showed the couple tying the knot at the Hard Days Night function center in Adelaide.

The couple smiled from ear to ear as they exchanged vows in front of a celebrant.

One photo showed the couple happily posing 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.

Mr Vennix described Mrs Fuller as “my beautiful wife” and said he couldn’t “be more proud” in a heartbreaking post a day earlier.