A German Au Pair who worked as a nanny in Issaquah for the past year, died Wednesday, one week after losing her arm in a shark attack snorkeling off the Maui coast, according to the Associated Press.
Jana Lutteropp, 20, died at Maui Memorial Medical Center after spending the week on life support.
“Jana fought hard to stay alive,” said a statement from her mother and sister, which was released by hospital spokeswoman Carol Clark. “However, we are sad to say that she lost her fight today.”
Clark said the family requested privacy.
Lutteropp was snorkeling up to 100 yards off Palauea Beach at the resort community of Makena Beach when the shark attacked and bit off her right arm. A visiting high school teacher from California, Rick Moore, 57, of Laguna Niguel, jumped into the water after hearing her screaming and seeing blood in the surf.
He said Lutteropp went in and out of consciousness and was repeating that she was going to die. The AP said it’s not known what type of shark bit Lutteropp. State officials investigating the attack said witnesses didn’t see the animal.
“Jana was a very beautiful, strong, young woman who was always laughing, and we will forever remember her that way,” said the statement from her mother, Jutta Lutteropp and sister, Julia Broeske.
The family asked that donations in her memory be made to the Maui Memorial Medical Center Foundation.
“We appreciate all the support from the Maui community, as well as the prayers and thoughts from around the world and in Germany,” they said. “We especially want to thank the wonderful caregivers and everyone at Maui Memorial Medical Center.”
After the attack, a friend of Moore’s, Nicholas Grisaffi stood in neck-high water and took Lutteropp from Moore, carrying her limp body out of the water. Grisaffi said Wednesday they’ve been praying for her.
Grisaffi said he’s been replaying the horrible ordeal in his mind.
“Rick risked his life,” Grisaffi said. “Did I do enough? Should I have grabbed my fins and swam out with him?”
Hawaii officials announced they plan to spend the next two years studying tiger shark movements around Maui amid what they call an unprecedented spike in overall shark attacks since the start of 2012.
There have been eight attacks statewide this year and 10 in 2012. Hawaii usually sees only three to four attacks each year.
