Assisted by his friends and groomsmen, Navar, too weak to stand, was dressed in his tuxedo and brought to the ceremony in a wheelchair. Maia, with tears streaming down her face, walked down the aisle holding her mother’s hand, joining Navar under a canopy. Navar, holding his soon-to-be wife’s hand, expressed his love for Maia.
Maia bent down, embracing Navar and sharing a kiss, a heartwarming moment that brought tears to the eyes of those in attendance, as captured in a recording of the event. Despite the tragedy, the wedding still had moments of joy, with Kyrie, dressed in a little white tuxedo, radiating happiness. Friends of Navar and Maia also performed a haka, a traditional Maori dance, honoring the occasion while the bride wiped away her tears.
Just over 30 hours later, Navar lost his battle with his illness. On July 2, 2019, Navar was laid to rest, coinciding with his son’s first birthday, as reported by the Daily Mail.
In a Facebook message, Maia expressed gratitude for the support received and appealed for assistance in repatriating Navar’s body to his native New Zealand. A GoFundMe page was set up, and their story garnered the attention of millions, with generous strangers already donating over $100,000.
“Today my heart is heavy and filled with sadness. I have lost my best friend, husband, and the father of our son. I feel overwhelmed by the love and support of friends and family during this difficult time,” Maia wrote on the GoFundMe page
