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Brisbane man remembered after Devil’s Pool death

Tributes continue for a Brisbane father and youth worker who died at a notorious far north Queensland waterhole last week as friends raise money for the family he left behind.

Footage of search for missing swimmer at Babinda Boulders. VIDEO: Queensland Police

A Brisbane father who died after he went missing while swimming at a notorious Cairns waterhole last week has been remembered as a devoted father, loving son and adored friend.

Shanon Hoffman had been camping near Babinda Boulders, also known as Devil’s Pool, when he went for a swim last Monday in the spot that had previously taken 18 lives.

The 37-year-old’s body was found by police divers about 200m away the following morning.

Shanon Hoffman with his daughters Tia and Emelia in 2016. Police divers discovered Shanon Hoffman's body underwater about 200 metres upstream from an area known as the Devil's Pool.
Shanon Hoffman with his daughters Tia and Emelia in 2016. Police divers discovered Shanon Hoffman's body underwater about 200 metres upstream from an area known as the Devil's Pool.

A GoFundMe has been set up by David Duprat on behalf of family and friends to help pay for funeral expenses after Mr Hoffman’s shock death.

“It is with incredible sadness that the world as we know it has tragically changed forever,” he wrote on the page.

“Shanon Hoffman passed away on Monday the 19th of October doing what he loved the most, travelling our great landscape and swimming in our beautiful waters in Far North Queensland in Babinda Country.”

He said Mr Hoffman, who worked as a youth worker at Brisbane Youth Detention Centre, was a “devoted father, loving son, treasured brother and absolute (sic) adored friend.”

“Shanon’s playful cheeky personality was loved and infectious to everyone who had the honour of knowing him.”

Police divers discovered Shanon Hoffman's body underwater about 200 metres upstream from an area known as the Devil's Pool. Police divers have found the body after he went missing while swimming at the notorious Babinda Boulders, south of Cairns – photo Supplied
Police divers discovered Shanon Hoffman's body underwater about 200 metres upstream from an area known as the Devil's Pool. Police divers have found the body after he went missing while swimming at the notorious Babinda Boulders, south of Cairns – photo Supplied

“The tragic loss of Shanon has unexpectedly and heartbreakingly impacted his children and his family.”

More than $3500 has been raised since the GoFundMe page was made on Monday.

“Heaven truly has gained an irreplaceable soul.”

It comes only months after the tragic death of 18-year-old Madison Tam who did not resurface after she was believed to have been trying to swim between Two Rocks at the pools in April this year.

To donate: https://www.gofundme.com/f/please-help-shannon-hoffman-come-home-from-babinda

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/brisbane-man-remembered-after-devils-pool-death/news-story/59af50b5c81a6e5aa76dfbbcf12b3807