Natasha Gaucho, 19, died after falling into the water at Rotary Sunshine Park in St John’s on Friday night. (Submitted by Mason House)
Two St. John’s students remember their friend as a kind soul who loved the energy of life and are grateful for the support of strangers after her drowning death in St. John’s over the weekend.
Alex Rebelo and Mason House only knew Natasha Gaucho for a short time, but quickly bonded with her when she came to Newfoundland and Labrador in May.
“I’ve only known her for a few months, but over that period of time I just connected with her so well,” Rebelo told CBC News on Monday. “That was just the kind of person he was. She was so warm and friendly and kind and just beautiful.”
The group celebrated Gaucho’s first Canada Day with a water day at Rotary Sunshine Park on Friday. The day took a dramatic turn around 5 p.m., when Rebelo said Gosho fell from a float in the pool and did not resurface.
Gosho’s body was pulled from the water Saturday morning by a search and rescue team, and a police investigation into her death is ongoing.
“[Friday] It felt like forever, even though from start to finish it probably lasted about three, four minutes,” Rebelo said. “Please wear your life jackets. It only takes a few minutes or a few seconds for things to go wrong, as it did for us.”
House, Gaucho’s roommate, said the young woman was drawn to the countryside from South Africa to study science, pursuing the “North American dream” of becoming a pharmacist.
He says Gaucho loved the countryside and its people, but wasn’t always keen on the island’s weather.
“She always said it was cold in here,” House said with a laugh. “And she said the people here are so kind and friendly. … She felt so welcome here by everyone.”
Mason House, left, and Alex Rebello have only known Gaucho for a few months, but say they have become fast friends. (Garrett Barry/CBC)
House and Rebelo say they’ve felt that kindness from people across the province in the days since her death. House has set up a GoFundMe page in her name to help her family and raise funds to bring her body back to South Africa.
Their efforts had raised almost $17,000 as of Monday afternoon.
The couple also thanked the strangers who, according to Rebelo, helped them overcome the emotional trauma and even made efforts to save Gosho right after the accident.
“It brought us a lot of peace of mind,” Rebelo said.
“They didn’t even know her and her family is really overwhelmed by the outpouring of support,” House added.
Mason House, left, remembers his friend Natasha Gaucho as someone who was a kind soul who loved the energy that came with life. (Submitted by Mason House)
The two say they will remember Gosho for her positivity, kindness, friendship, and her warmth and confidence to be open to trying new things — something House says she will treasure in their friendship.
“She would get up and dance and every morning she would get up and sing in the apartment … I like to sing too, but not in front of people,” he said.
“I’ll have to learn how to do that. You just shouldn’t care. You just have to live. I’m so glad she did, I have so many things to remember her by.’
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