On June 20, while swimming together with two of their children off Hutchinson Island, a devastating incident occurred. Although the teenagers managed to save themselves, Brian and Erica were at the mercy of the powerful ocean currents

Emergency responders swiftly arrived and initiated rescue operations. However, despite their best efforts, Brian and Erica could not be saved and were tragically pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

The day the couple lost their lives, the water conditions were exceptionally hazardous. Red flags were flown at the beach to alert swimmers about the dangerous riptide conditions, as stated by Cory Pippen, a representative from Martin County Fire Rescue. These flags are specifically designed to caution beachgoers about potential water hazards, such as strong rip currents.