Family of man who drowned in under water proposal in Pemba speaks out

The mother of US citizen, Steven Weber, who drowned while proposing to his girlfriend underwater is still waiting for the return of her son nearly one week after his tragic death at Manta Resort in Pemba.

Debra Weber, whose son Steven Weber Jr. died just after popping the question to girlfriend Kenesha Antoine while on vacation, wrote in a Facebook post the moment she learned the news that would change her life forever.

“Last Thursday I received ‘The Call’ the worst thing any parent could hear I lost my son,” she wrote on Wednesday.

“The worst tragedy of my life. Steven was so loved by everyone. I can’t begin to thank everyone for their prayers and the outpouring of kindness and love.”

Debra continued, writing that she was still awaiting the return of 40-year-old Steven’s body from Tanzania, but that the moment would be coming soon.

“My baby boy is almost home, I feel I’ve been waiting an eternity,” she wrote. “Again thank you all for the love and support that has been given to myself and my family. Love to you all.”

In the days after Steven’s death, a GoFundMe page was organized to help cover the costs of his return and burial, and has since raised more than $20,000.

Meanwhile, Steven’s sister Mandy Hoffman also recounted the day of his death, calling it “the worst day of my life.”

“However, what I have experienced since that day is the most amazing outpouring of love and support from old and new friends, acquaintances, relatives near and far, and complete strangers,” she wrote on Facebook Tuesday.

“I will do my best to personally thank you all. In the meantime, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Steven deserves all the honor and love he is receiving. He gave so much of his own.”

Weber’s death first made headlines on Friday after Antoine shared a heartbreaking Facebook post that included a video of Weber’s sweet proposal — which involved him swimming up to their underwater hotel room with his question written on a piece of paper — and her acceptance.

“You never emerged from those depths, so you never got to hear my answer, ‘Yes! Yes! A million times, yes, I will marry you!!’ ” she wrote. 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.”

Hoffman had previously told KSLA and the Associated Press that Weber and Antoine had been dating for two years after meeting through a mutual friend, and were in Tanzania as part of a birthday trip for Antoine.

She also said that her family was grappling with many questions surrounding the circumstances of Steven’s death, as he was a strong swimmer who had snorkeled before.

“This is all we keep talking about,” she told the AP. “Something other happened besides him running out of breath.”

Hoffman said authorities in Tanzania informed her via email that an autopsy had been conducted, but did not immediately identify a cause of death.

Spokespersons for the Manta Resort, where Weber was staying, and the US Embassy in Tanzania did not immediately return PEOPLE’s requests for comment.

Weber’s body was pulled from the water by a passing boater, who unsuccessfully attempted to resuscitate him, Hoffman told the AP.

Antoine had flagged down the would-be rescuers after Weber failed to surface at the deck level of their hotel room shortly after his proposal.

Neither Antoine nor Hoffman immediately responded to requests for comment.

Matthew Saus, CEO of the Manta Resort, previously confirmed to PEOPLE in a statement that a male guest had drowned while free diving alone outside the underwater room.

Saus said the weather and water conditions were calm, and that the room sits about 32 feet deep.