Samoan Missionary Dies In Sierra Leona After Contracting Malaria
Mar 14, 2020, 6:12 PM | Updated: 6:59 pm
Elder Antonio Schwenke (Image courtesy Elder Schwenke's family)
(Image courtesy Elder Schwenke's family)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A missionary from Samoa serving in the Sierra Leona Freetown Mission has died, according to officials from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Church spokesperson Daniel Woodruff issued a statement Saturday, saying 19-year-old Elder Antonio Schwenke passed away Friday.
Elder Schwenke’s death was attributed to complications from malaria. Details about how long he had been ill were not available.
The 19-year-old was from Vailima, Samoa. Officials said he had been serving since Mar 2019.
“We are deeply saddened by this news and pray sincerely for his family and loved ones as the mourn his passing and remember his life,” Woodruff said in the statement.
Elder Schwenke was the second missionary of the Church to pass away during the week. Sister Katherine Pindar from Mesa, Arizona, also age 19, died overnight Thursday during her sleep during a brief illness.
Sister Pindar was serving in the Texas Houston East Mission.
“We are mindful of her family and loved ones and pray they will feel comfort and peace at this extremely difficult time,” Woodruff said.
