Tributes for NZ woman submerged in Utah pool

Candice Warren was described as happy and outgoing and forthright by colleagues. Photo / Supplied

Tributes flowed yesterday for a young Hamilton woman who was found submerged in a Utah swimming pool and later died.

Candice Warren was surrounded by family members when her life-support system was switched off on Monday morning.

The 24-year-old had been taken to University Hospital in Salt Lake City in a critical condition after being found in a pool at a residential complex last Wednesday.

The Hamilton clothing store manager was in Utah with other family members for a cousin's wedding that was to have taken place on Saturday.

Her father, Roma Warren, flew to the United States the following day but after five days of watching his daughter lying in an induced coma, made the decision to turn off her life support, the Waikato Times reported.

Yesterday friends paid tribute to Miss Warren on Facebook.

Samantha Eriepa said: "Candy I love you heaps and heaps and heaps I promise you I will look after your family and take care of your brothers. Rest easy infinite hugs and kisses."

Another wrote: "Candice was such a beautiful person and will be greatly missed.

"I miss you more and more with each passing day. I love you always and nothing will make me think any different."

Miss Warren's aunt and family spokeswoman, Sandra Morris, said the family were gathered at her Hamilton home and had been in daily contact through Skype and telephone with Mr Warren.

But it was not clear when her body would be brought back to New Zealand.

"You can understand that because it is another country they have different things they have to do to repatriate someone to another country," she said.

It remains unclear how Ms Warren died although a death report, which the Herald understands the family have a copy of, could reveal the cause.

"We are in this situation and of course it is so tragic and the family are heartbroken, they are just trying to deal with it the best they can," said Ms Morris.

She said funeral arrangements had not been confirmed although the service was likely to be in Hamilton when her body was brought home.

"In so many ways she was very bubbly and lively - she was the most beautiful girl with a heart of gold and there are just so many things wecan say about her," said MsMorris.

Back in Hamilton's CBD where she once worked, Ms Warren's former colleagues were devastated by the news.

Accent Magazines owner Bruce Jackson was among those mourning her death.

"She was always happy, outgoing and forthright, she was just an amazing individual for her age," said Mr Jackson, whose business was a few doors down from Ms Warren's old work premises in Alexandra St.

"It really was a shock ... I thought she was much more mature for a 24-year-old being able to hold a business together, she was special."