$20,000 raised for missing teen's family days after he jumped off cruise ship into shark-infested waters
Jess Hardiman
Featured Image Credit: Family Handout/WBRZ
Donations have come pouring in for the family of the teenager who jumped off a cruise ship into shark-infested waters, with the GoFundMe having more than doubled its $10,000 target.
Cameron Robbins, from Louisiana, was celebrating his high school graduation with friends on a sunset cruise on 24 May when he went overboard – allegedly for a dare – at around 9.40pm.
Three days later, the search for the teen was called off, despite the best efforts of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, with the assistance of the US Coast Guard Southeast and Royal Bahamas Defence Force.
After being presumed dead, his family held a memorial service for him on Sunday (4 June), with parents William and Shari, saying they are ‘mourning’ their ‘funny and kind-hearted son’.
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“We are just mourning our son right now,” Ms Robbins told The New York Post.
“We appreciate you calling. Maybe we will be able to talk more later.”
Mr Robbins added: “We appreciate everyone’s support.”
In the wake of the incident, a GoFundMe was set up for the Robbins family, with the description saying the money was for ‘anything’ they might need.
“Cameron's mother, Shari is an indescribably amazing teacher and her kindness and devotion has helped countless children throughout her career,” it said.
“Please donate as you can and share this fundraiser to support her and her family through this unimaginable situation.”
After being set up on 26 May, the fundraiser has far surpassed of $10,000 target, having drawn in $20,145 in donations at the time of writing.
Paying their respects, one donor wrote: “So sorry for your loss. I'm sure he was a wonderful young man, lost to a moment of peer pressure. RIP.”
Someone else said: “So extremely very sorry for your loss. What a heartbreaking situation and I could not imagine the pain you are going through during this time. The world is with you, praying for you, and most importantly supporting you.”
Authorities confirmed that they are no longer investigating the theory suggesting that Robbins was attacked by a shark after he jumped into the water.
Brian Trascher, a spokesperson for the United Cajun Navy, told Fox News the footage is too dark to tell exactly what happened to the recent high school grad, with the theory he was attacked by a shark no longer being investigated at the request of Robbins' family.
"None of the experts consulted can definitely say what's in the video due to the quality and length of the video," Trascher told the outlet.
"The Robbins family has requested that we not entertain that theory any longer, so our official position is that we don't know what happened while Cam was in the water."