He Proposed Underwater But Didn't Survive To Hear Her Answer!

He Proposed Underwater But Didn’t Survive To Hear Her Answer!

A heartwrenching event captured the attention of many as a joyous occasion turned tragic. Steven Weber from Louisiana and his girlfriend, Kenesha Antoine, experienced a tragedy on the day of their engagement. The couple was vacationing at the Manta Resort in Tanzania. Steven decided to make a grand gesture by proposing to Kenesha in an unusual and seemingly magical settingunderwater! 

He pressed a heartfelt, handwritten note against the cabin’s window with a ring. Moments later even before he could hear his girlfriend say ‘yes’ he swam up not being able to stay for too long. But he didn’t return to the surface alive. Let’s have a look at what happened and what his special note said. 

The Underwater Proposal

The proposed setting at the Manta Resort is nothing short of breathtaking. The place is known for its unique underwater accommodations off the coast of Pemba Island. The cabin, submerged underwater, offers a great view of the ocean’s depths. Steven’s carefully planned proposal included a heartfelt note and an engagement ring.

This romantic scenario, however, quickly shifted to a nightmare. Steven’s intentions were beautifully planned. He dived into the ocean to propose to Kenesha, who was inside the submerged cabin. She filmed the entire event not knowing what comes next. 

Steven pressed a handwritten note against the cabin’s window. 

“I can’t hold my breath long enough to tell you everything I love about you. But… everything I love about you, I love more every day!” 

Steven Weber
Image source: BBC (Steven’s note for Kenesha held against the cabin window in a ziplock bag)

Moments later, he revealed an engagement ring, tucking it out from his swim shorts. Tragically, after these touching moments, Steven did not resurface alive.

Kenesha’s excitement turned to despair. She shared in a sorrowful Facebook post, saying Steven “never got to hear the answer,” which would have been “a million times, yes.”

“We never got to embrace and celebrate the beginning of the rest of our lives together, as the best day of our lives turned into the worst, in the cruelest twist of fate imaginable. I will try to take solace in the fact that we enjoyed the most amazing bucket list experiences these past few days, and that we both were so happy and absolutely giddy with excitement in our final moments together.”

Kenesha Antoine

Steven’s cause of death

Authorities didn’t find a cause during their initial investigation. However, the autopsy conducted showed that he had head injuries. They believe he knocked himself out on his dive up. 

Resort’s Response To The Tragedy

The resort’s CEO, Matthew Saus, expressed the collective shock of the resort staff, stating they were “shaken to the core” by the incident.

The resort responded to the emergency with a statement about the “fatal accident.” They detailed that despite immediate efforts by the staff to address the problem in the water, “absolutely nothing could be done” to save Steven.

“It is with the deepest regret that we inform you that a fatal accident occurred at The Manta Resort on Thursday 19 September 2019.” 

The resort said in a statement
Image source: The Mirror / The Guardian (Steven & Kenesha)
Image source: The Manta Resort Website

Steve’s Family Responds

Back home, Steven’s family was left wrestling with grief and unanswered questions. His sister, Mandy Hoffman, expressed the family’s deep loss and their desire to understand the circumstances that led to Steven’s death. An autopsy was planned to determine the exact cause of Steven’s demise. 

“They attempted CPR and at that point in time he did have a light pulse. However, they were not able to bring him back and that’s what we know right now.”

Mandy Hoffman 
Image source: BBC (One of Steven and Kenesha’s last captures together at the Manta Resort)

Response and Repercussions

The news of Steven’s death spread rapidly, eliciting reactions globally and from local communities. The U.S. Department of State acknowledged the tragic event, offering condolences and support to the family. On social media, the story of the underwater proposal has gone awry sparking discussions about the risks associated with such adventurous gestures.

Conclusion

Reflecting on their last moments together, Kenesha mentioned their incredible experiences and the pure joy they felt during the days leading up to the tragedy. This poignant story leaves a legacy of a love that shone brightly, albeit briefly and raises awareness about the need for caution and preparedness in adventure tourism. As we remember Steven’s life, the profound impact of his story resonates within the community, reminding us of the thin line between adventure and safety.

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