Tongan family, friends devastated by sudden death of son in Reno

A Tongan family in the United States were in complete shock yesterday, trying to come to terms with the death of their son.

Sitanilei Tuʻihalangingie was allegedly killed after he fell through a pond ice in Reno.

Reno Police have quoted an eye witness telling rescue crews Tuʻihalangingie was wearing heavy clothing and immediately sank underneath.

The 19-year-old was the son of Manase and Vika Tuʻihalangingie of Kolomotuʻa and Fātumu in Tonga but they now reside in Reno, United States.

His sister Lupe Ê»Ofahelotu TuÊ»ihalangingie has left an emotional tribute on Sitanilei’s Facebook account yesterday citing what she normally heard him saying when he arrived home.

“Bro please answer my text and tell me [you are]  home! Please I just want to hear your voice again and to tell me I love you sis! Bro please just walk through the door and say [I am] home and [you were] kidding! I love you so much that it hurts so bad!” Lupe wrote.

For the TuÊ»ihalangingie family, the sudden death of their son and brother is a “devastating shock,” said  family friends on Facebook.

“We can imagine the depth of devastation his parents have gone through because of the death of their son,” one friend said.

A commentator in response said Tu’ihalangingie was at the area with friends before he fell into the frozen ice.

“My son ran to help but he was almost got into trouble and luckily he managed to pull himself out to safety”.

He said they called police and they were advised to keep away from the pond to avoid any further fatality.

Below are more tributes for Tu’ihalangingie on Facebook: