Fiancee Jessie Ho pays heartfelt tribute to mauled dive instructor Simon Nellist

The devastated fiancee of British expat Simon Nellist, killed by a great white shark while swimming in Little Bay, says she will never get over losing her “soulmate”.

The shattered fiancee of a British expat killed by a great white shark while swimming in the waters off Sydney’s coastline has told how she will never get over losing her “soulmate”.

In an emotional tribute, Jessie Ho said life has been “less bright” since experienced diving instructor Simon Nellist was mauled by a 4.5 metre shark in Little Bay on the southeastern coast last Wednesday.

Shark attack victim Simon Nellist, 35, and Jessie Ho on the day of their engagement. They were due to marry this summer.

“Simon is the love of my life and I am the luckiest woman alive to have met him,” she penned in a tribute dedicated to the Cornwall-born 35-year-old former RAF engineer living in Wolli Creek.

“Simon was one of a kind, and he was generous and selfless.

“He loved me, his family and his friends so fiercely. He is my soulmate, and was a wonderful son, brother, uncle and friend.

The diving instructor was swimming near fishermen in Little Bay when he was attacked by a 4.5 metre Great White shark. Picture: Nicholas Eagar

“Simon loved the ocean and marine conservation was something he believed in deeply.

“He found great solace in nature and we enjoyed many adventures in this beautiful country, going camping, hiking and scuba diving.

“Inspired by his dad, he was passionate about nature and night sky photography.”

Ms Ho, who was engaged to be married to Mr Nellist, who survived two tours in Afghanistan before moving to Sydney six years ago, added: “He kept a special connection to his hometown Cornwall, and I cherish the time we spent there together with his family and friends.

“Simon, the world is a little less bright without you. I’ll be missing you until we meet again.”

Simon’s family were due to fly to Sydney in a few weeks for his wedding to Jessie Ho, but they were now arriving to arrange his funeral.

Mr Nellist was fatally attacked as he swam off Buchan Point to the shock of fishermen who had thrown bait into the water and who captured his brutal death on camera.

In the same tribute entitled Celebrating Simon calling for donations to help his retired dentist father Mike and mother Rosemary fund his forthcoming funeral, his family spoke of a “gentle, kind, and loving human.”

“Simon was a gentle, kind and wonderful human being. He was a cherished fiancee, son, brother, uncle and friend,” it read.

A keen runner and dive instructor, Simon had made Sydney home for the last six years.

“Simon was funny, compassionate and always had time for people.

“He had a rare gift of instantly being able to connect with others, gaining their trust and respect.

“While Simon was a proud Cornishman, growing up in the village of Ludgvan, Australia had become Simon’s home with his fiancée Jessie.

Flowers and notes placed near the beach access at Little Bay. Picture: Nicholas Eagar

“Jessie made Simon so happy and complete – they had so many plans for their future together.

“Simon had a great passion for nature and the sea, as well as being a very talented photographer.

“We are very proud of everything Simon achieved and believed in, and how happy he had become. He will be missed terribly, and we love him dearly.”

Police and rescuers searched for days for the remains of diving instructor Simon Nellist. Picture: Gaye Gerard

Mr Nellist had been training for a charity swim at Little Bay when he was killed in what was the first fatal shark attack in Sydney in almost 60 years.

The white pointer allegedly “attacked vertically” before dragging the man’s body out of the ocean.

Tragically, his death came several weeks before ‘smart’ drum lines were scheduled to be installed..

To donate visit: https://sites.google.com/view/in-loving-memory-sn/home

Originally published as Fiancee Jessie Ho pays heartfelt tribute to mauled dive instructor Simon Nellist