Tragedy comes when you least expect it and for fans of popular Chinese cosplayer couple 仲尼Johnny and Karina Melnychuk, it has hit hard after it was revealed that one-half of the couple, Johnny reportedly passed away yesterday (8th November).
Apparently, the cosplayer couple had been on holiday in Bali when they were swept away by the waves while swimming at Batu Belig Beach. Karina was safely rescued, but Johnny was reportedly confirmed to have been deceased when they found his body the day after.
Both 34-year-old 仲尼Johnny (Xiao Fong Jhony, 黄小沣) and 30-year-old Ukranian cosplayer Karina Melnychuk have garnered plenty of followers over their years of being internet celebrities. 仲尼Johnny alone has over 5.4 million fans on Weibo. However, no one expected to lose him so soon at the age of 34.
According to Indonesian media, a couple, consisting of a Chinese man and a Ukrainian woman, had been washed away by huge waves at a restricted area of Batu Belig Beach on 7th November. They managed to rescue the woman immediately, but the man’s body was only found on 8th November in the morning, floating near Petitenget Beach.
Despite strong suspicions that the couple was actually Karina and Johnny, many refused to believe Johnny had passed. Some even held onto the hope that Johnny himself would refute the rumours publicly by claiming he was safe. Unfortunately, a comment on Johnny’s latest posts, presumably by a friend, confirmed his passing, as did news that the body found had been identified as 仲尼Johnny’s.
It was later reported that Karina had initially waded into the sea to help Johnny as he was having cramps. Unfortunately, she struggled to bring him to safety as he was too heavy for her. Reportedly, Johnny had already fallen unconscious after choking on sea water when a huge wave hit, sweeping the both of them away.
Fans have since flooded his posts, offering their condolences. A few have also shared their worries for Karina as she has just lost her husband of seven years. Several more were crushed to realise Johnny had drowned on his birthday, 7th November, which was also now his death anniversary.
Just last year, Johnny had been rumoured to have been cheating on Karina and controlling her earned income. However, he had apologised and offered up an explanation for the issue while Karina made it clear she did not want to discuss the matter, decisively ending the issue.
Our hearts go out to all who knew Johnny and most of all, Karina and their daughter, Rosie. Losing your family member is never easy, even more so when it’s so sudden. We too offer our condolences and hope they will find peace in his passing.
Sources: Oriental Daily, Sin Chew Daily, Woah
