The family and friends of a 29-year-old man who died after coming down with a sudden illness have hit out at suggestions his death was caused by the Covid vaccine.
After Daily Mail Australia first shared the story of Shannen Rissel’s touching tribute to her late husband last Friday, Covid conspiracy theorists flooded the comments section.
Ms Rissel told Daily Mail Australia her husband, Connor, who was about to become a father for the first time, had been sick for a couple of days prior to his death but his passing was ‘unexpected’.
The expectant mother said his cause of death won’t be known until the autopsy results come back as he hadn’t seen a doctor since becoming ill.
Expectant mother Shannen Rissel wrote a heartbreaking letter after her husband Connor passed away unexpectedly in his sleep last week (pictured Shannen and Connor Rissel)
After Daily Mail Australia first shared the story of Shannen Rissel’s touching tribute to her late husband last Friday, Covid conspiracy theorists flooded the comments section with friends and family calling the speculation ‘disgusting’ and ‘disrespectful’
‘He had become unwell and unfortunately, his health declined over the past week,’ she wrote in a post.
‘However, never did we expect this to happen. Some of his last words to me were ‘I’ll be okay beet, I just need to get over this sickness and we’ll have a happy life.’
Comments such as, ‘If you have your head in the sand at this point please snap out of it’ and ‘safe and effective’, as well as other Covid-related jibes were present on almost all posts related to Connor’s death, including on Ms Rissel’s tribute to her late husband.
‘I’m so sorry for the loss of your husband. You must be in shock. Did your husband take the Covid shots? The CDC is looking into this,’ one person commented on Ms Rissel’s post.
Comments such as, ‘If you have your head in the sand at this point please snap out of it’ and ‘safe and effective’, as well as other Covid-related jibes were present on almost all posts related to Connor’s death, including on Ms Rissel’s tribute to her late husband
Others online hit out at the speculation saying it was ‘disgusting’ and ‘putrid’ and those saying such things should be ‘ashamed’
Others responded to the speculation by saying it was ‘disgusting’ and ‘disrespectful’ and those saying such things should be ‘ashamed’.
‘It’s disgusting and completely unacceptable that you would even speculate something like this on something you know nothing about,’ one said.
‘You should be ashamed of yourself, this is someone’s loved one you are talking about.’
‘I think it is absolutely putrid that people are putting their propaganda on a post about someone’s loved one that just died, especially not knowing the circumstances, shame on them,’ commented another.
Ms Rissel and her husband Connor married in September, 2022 after five years together and lived in Gorokan, on NSW‘s Central Coast.
The couple had just celebrated finding out Shannen was pregnant with their first child due in August.
‘It is with the heaviest heart that I write these words. My husband, Connor passed away unexpectedly in his sleep yesterday morning,’ Ms Rissel wrote last week.
‘Connor was the love of my life, he was the best husband, the best friend, the best family member, the best fur baby daddy and he was also going to become a father this year in August.
Ms Rissel and her husband Connor had only married in September, 2022 after five years together and lived in Gorokan, on NSW’s Central Coast
Ms Rissel said Connor loved to be outdoors, whether that be surfing or just in the water at the beach.
He was always trying to live an exciting life that he was proud of, trying new things like fly fishing, he worked hard, he loved being creative with his art and music,’ she said.
‘He gave his whole heart to those he loved and had such a huge heart, empathy and care for people he met,’ she added.
‘He was the most rare person you could meet and I am so proud that I got to become his wife and spend 5 years, and 4 months with him.
‘The memories that we have I will cherish forever and I will live the rest of my days reflecting on ways I can be more like him.
‘And when I welcome our baby into the world, he or she will be surrounded by everyone that loved him, to share memories about how beautiful of a person he was and his memories will live on.’
Tributes flowed for the tragic young dad-to-be, with more than 200 comments on Facebook.
The couple had only just celebrated finding out Shannen was pregnant with their first child which is due in August
‘Shannen I am so incredibly sorry for your loss, my heart is so broken for you. Thinking of you in this incredibly heart breaking time,’ one person wrote.
‘Connor and I were good mates in high school. I am so sorry for your loss and my thoughts are with you and your family. I have great memories of Connor, truly one of a kind,’ a second posted.
‘Shannen, I have no words I’m in disbelief. Life is so unfair and this is such a tragedy. It has been such a pleasure to watch your relationship and marriage unfold,’ a third wrote.
‘The love you shared was palpable and it was wonderful to see you both so so so happy. Sending you so much strength for you and your baby as you navigate this time.’
A GoFundMe has been set up to help pay for funeral costs as well as to help Shannen with the expenses involving their unborn child.
The fundraiser has raised more than $35,000.
Mrs Rissel asked for some privacy and time to grieve and ‘process what has happened’.
A paddle out tribute has been organised for Mr Rissel at 8am on Sunday at the Norah Head rockpool.