Kit Roberts
The widow of a caver who died in horrific circumstances has hit back against online trolls.
John Edward Jones had been caving on 24 November 2009 when he became stuck in the cave known as the 'Nutty Putty' cave. He became trapped in such a way that he gradually slid further into the cave, which gradually restricted his ability to breathe.
Despite the efforts of rescuers to get him out, he tragically died - which resulted in the cave eventually being sealed up with his body still inside.
While suffering such an unimaginable tragedy, John's widow Emily Jones Sanchez has managed to rebuild her life. 14 years on from the tragic loss, she has even remarried and had two children.
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A film was even made in 2016 - The Last Decent - which was based around the attempted rescue of John.
However, this has drawn the attention of online trolls, who would presumably only be happy if Emily spent the rest of her life in mourning instead of building a happy future.
One person posted about her on 6 March 2020, saying: "JOHN WAS BETTER ! RIP JOHN IF I WAS YOUR WIFE I WOULD HAVE NEVER MOVED ON SOO SOON AND WOULD BE SHARING YOUR STORY AND LIFE. AND POSTING ABOUT YOU."
Another comment reads: "Is that John on ur profile picture? Or is it another man I’m genuinely confused I swear John past away."
But now, Emily has hit back at the trolls and defended her marriage to husband Donovan Sanchez.
"It’s never been hard to remember John," she said in an interview with Deseret News. "Ever since the very beginning, ever since I first met Donovan, he’s been really comfortable with John continuing to be a part of our family and our lives, especially because of our kids.
"He just knows that the kids need to remember their dad so he’s good about wanting to stay in touch with the Joneses and he loves the Joneses."
Others have since come to her defence, with one writing: "I hope she does not read these comments… and i hope none of u have to go through what she has in her life. loosing someone is hard enough and going through a pregnancy on ur own having to look at those kids everyday knowing what happened to their dad. having a film made about it.
"You may not agree with her choices but you don’t pay her bills feed her kids or now her grass… john loved her and she loved him. so just maybe he sent someone to help her get through it.
"It’s not easy to go through life on a good day so give it up… i hope she is every bit happy and blessed and the same to her beautiful children."