Following Pirates of the Caribbean star Tamayo Perry’s tragic death after a shark attack in Hawaii, his devastated widow Emily Perry has broken her silence by paying tribute to her beloved husband. Emily appeared on Good Morning America on Wednesday alongside the surfer’s good friend Jesse King via a video link, to speak about the legacy he created and left behind.
As she broke down in tears, she expressed: “It was like I went on the best 25-year vacation of my life with him. And now it’s over. Now I got to come back to reality. The world knew Tamayo as a surfer and an actor, but to those who knew him best, he was a man of deep faith now taken too soon.
“I feel so upset and devastated. But I also have a weird calmness in my heart knowing that he’s in a better place.” On Sunday (June 23), Honolulu Emergency Medical Services announced that Tamayo’s lifeless body was found with several shark bites.
The 49-year-old had been surfing off Goat Island, also known as Mokuauia, near Laie, Hawaii, when he was found around 1 pm, officials told the Star-Advertiser. Lifeguards recovered his body via jetski, with the body being confirmed as him after his next of kin were notified.
Emergency crews believed Tamayo may have suffered more than one possible shark bite, which would make this the second fatal attack in Oahu just this month.
“Tamayo Perry was a lifeguard loved by all, well-known on the North Shore, a professional surfer known worldwide around the world,” Acting Ocean Safety Chief Kurt Lager shared in a statement.
“Tamayo’s personality was infectious, and as much as people loved him, he loved everyone else more.
“Our condolences go out to Tamayo’s family and the entire lifeguard ohana. We’re asking for some privacy for his family at this time,” he added.
Mayor Rick Blangiardi called Tamayo’s death a “tragic loss”.
“Tamayo was a legendary waterman and highly respected […] a great member of our Ocean Safety team; it’s just really hard to imagine, so we just want to pay our respects to our guys,” the Mayor said.
“I hope everyone wishes the family the best honours and respects the situation.”
Jason Bitzer, a friend of Tamayo penned an emotional tribute on Facebook: “The things we have seen! My brother in Christ I love you brah! Tamayo, I won’t get over this until I see you in heaven.
“Tamayo Perry you weren’t my friend you were my brother, the pain we’re collectively feeling is immense.”