A Florida woman is mourning the tragic loss of her husband and their two children after they drowned in their family pool. According to WSVN, local officials responded to the family’s Hollywood residence on February 24 after Anne Marie Dolce found her husband, Jean Wisly Fontus, and their two children unresponsive in their family swimming pool.
The deceased minors were identified as five-year-old Emmie and Tyler, 2.
“Just after 3:30, the Hollywood Police Department received a 911 call for a possible drowning. When officers arrived on scene they found 3 people who were unresponsive. It was an adult and two children,” Hollywood Police Spokeswoman Deanna Bettineschi said, per CBS Miami.
Officers who arrived attempted resuscitating Fontus and his two children by performing CPR and other life-saving techniques. They were later pronounced dead after they were transported to a hospital.
“They were all full of love, it’s the only word I can use to describe it: love,” Dolce told WSVN. “The reality of the situation is what’s really heavy and hard.”
The grieving wife and mother also said it was typical of her husband and kids to take daily afternoon dips in the pool. “They typically play in the yard and the pool, painting activities, they would ride their bikes on the patio or on the sidewalk,” Dolce said.
The tragic incident is being investigated by Hollywood Police. And though officials are yet to establish the circumstances surrounding their deaths, they said they do not believe there was any foul play.
A GoFundMe that was set up by Dolce provided further insight into the incident. “Like any other day, Wes, Emmie and Tyler went for their last swim together in the family’s pool. We imagine that they played in the pool, Emmie and Tyler climbing onto and splashing water at dad as always,” she said.
“At some point, something happened that caused that fun time to come to a sudden end. We may never know how, and we will surely never understand why, but we are comforted in knowing that Dad, Emmie, and Tyler are together in Heaven in the loving hands of God.”
Dolce also shared fond memories of her deceased husband and children. “‘I like your hair. I like your dress. That baby is so cute.’ It’s just the way she spoke and who she was, very loving,” she said about Emmie, adding that her brother Tyler was a usual two-year-old.
“He [Tyler] thought he was some sort of superhero, but he was my superhero,” she said. Dolce also referred to her husband as the life of the party.
“This was a party. It was always a party here. Music was blaring, and everyone was always invited,” she recalled.
The GoFundMe account has so far raised over $50,000, surpassing the $40,000 goal.