Newlywed California man, 49, drowns on honeymoon in Hawaii before ailing thieves steal couple’s phones, wallets and cash from the beach and their rental car
- Steven Phan drowned while snorkeling at Electric Beach in Oahu, Hawaii, on honeymoon with wife Brittany
- As the tragedy unfolded, callous thieves took the couple’s belongings and the rental car
- Their families are now launched a fundraiser which has raised more than $20,000
A newlywed drowned while snorkeling on his honeymoon in Hawaii — before thieves stole his possessions and rental car while rescuers administered CPR.
Steven Phan, from South Bay, California, was snorkeling at Kahe Point, known as Electric Beach, in Oahu on a dream vacation with his wife Brittany when he disappeared underwater.
Phan, 49, was pulled ashore by a spear diver and bystanders tried unsuccessfully to administer CPR.
During the commotion on June 1, callous thieves snatched the couple’s personal belongings, including their cell phones, wallets, money and clothes, then made off in their rental car, according to a GoFundMe page started for the family.
The pagewho raised more than $20,000 by Monday morning, said, “Steven and his wife Brittany honeymooned in Hawaii.
Steven Phan, from South Bay, California, was snorkeling at Kahe Point, known as Electric Beach, in Oahu on a dream vacation with wife Brittany when he disappeared underwater
Phan was snorkeling at Electric Beach in Oahu, Hawaii, when he disappeared underwater. He was pulled ashore and rescuers tried in vain to save him
While snorkelling, disaster struck and Steven, Brittany’s husband of almost 3 months, drowned.
“As if this couldn’t get any worse, all of Brittany and Steven’s belongings were stolen, the thieves took their cell phones, wallets, money, clothes, they even stole their rental car.”
The Honolulu Police Department has 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 at the loss of such a great man as Steven. Steven always found a way to be a part of everyone’s life no matter the distance. Steven was a true friend and wonderful husband, Steven will be incredibly missed by all.’
A fundraiser has been started to raise money for Phan’s widow, Brittaney, and to cover the cost 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 the distance’
Shin Tamashiro, a spearfisherman who visits the site, said the conditions were “unreal” and added to the thieves, “You just interrogate that person like a human being.”
“People, they don’t have the decency, the integrity, it’s just morality, I think,” he told KITV.
John Titchen, chief of Honolulu’s Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services Division, added: “It’s tragic to see these conditions as if they were yesterday. This is a place where we’ve known for a long time that we need more of a sea presence.
“And so every time we see a case like this before we can prepare and get in here and settle in, it’s heartbreaking.”
The money raised through the fundraiser will cover funeral and memorial costs and support Phan’s family.