Joao Guilherme Torres Fadini, 24, and his fiancée Larissa Campos, 25, joined friends to celebrate their engagement at the Itupararanga Dam, located on the Sorocaba River in the Sorocaba region of the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo.
The Brazilian businessman who was described as a good swimmer kissed Larissa’s forehead just moments before he tragically drowned on 31st August.
Larissa told G1 news: ‘After the kiss, he took off his shirt and went into the water together with our friends.
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‘He asked me to wait for him and said he loved me.
‘They started a swimming race to the next shore. Almost everyone gave up and there was only him and my brother-in-law Gabriel left.’
However, as the pair continued racing Joao suddenly disappeared under the water.
The group frantically searched for him and called the emergency services.
The Sao Roque Fire Department arrived at the scene following the late afternoon callout and started searching with boats and divers.
Larissa said: ‘While the firemen were on their way we searched everywhere, but without success.
‘Almost an hour and a half after the firemen arrived, the divers found his body.’
Joao told Larissa that he had already set a May date for the wedding because he said he couldn’t wait to start a family with her.
The couple were due to celebrate their second year together on 8th September.
His heartbroken fiancée said: ‘He was planning the official proposal, which he said ‘would be epic’.
‘He had even created a folder with various ideas that he would use on the big day.’
She added: ‘All I think and dream about is him. Now all I have left are memories of everything we lived and dreamed of experiencing together.
‘We have always been very intensely in love. We loved life together.’
Mourning the loss of her fiance, Larissa said: ‘We are all numb and disturbed, but we have the firm hope that he will be our strength and take care of us.’
The couple had planned to backpack around Colombia in 2021 for their honeymoon.
It is unclear if his death is under investigation.
