Estuary drowning tragedy: Married couple died while crabbing

Tributes are flowing for a couple who drowned in an estuary while out crabbing, as more shocking details are revealed about the tragedy.

A 13-year-old girl has been left orphaned after her parents drowned while fishing in WA.

Leslie, 49, and Jon Ballo, 50, a Filipino couple who arrived in Perth nine years ago, died while crabbing.

Their bodies were recovered by police from the water near the Herron Point boat ramp about midday on Thursday.

Loved ones reportedly raised the alarm when the pair failed to show up for work on Thursday after they went crabbing together on Wednesday.

The couple had renewed their wedding vows two weeks ago and went fishing every week as a bonding exercise.

Their bodies were recovered by police from the water near the Herron Point boat ramp. Picture: Facebook

It is understood their car was found at the Herron Point camping grounds.

A friend of the family Marisol Armada has vowed to raise the couple’s daughter.

“I know how much they loved their daughter and we will do the same thing for her.” Ms Armada told Nine.

“They really were a golden couple ... We will cherish them forever in our hearts.”

The church Mr and Ms Ballo attended have shared their devastation at the loss of the couple, revealing their urgent efforts to find them.

Head Pastor of the New Life Filipino-Australian Community Church said in a statement he had known the couple since they first arrived in Perth.

“At 6am on Thursday they both failed to turn up work,” he told The West Australian.

“We spotted brother Jon’s car at the carpark around 9.15am on Thursday … one police car (was one) minute ahead of us because they tracked down the ping of Leslie’s (phone).

“Even looking in the distance, while the rubber boat was approaching, I knew back in the back of my mind the worst thing had happened.”

Tributes are flowing for the couple. Picture: Facebook

Sharing a heartfelt tribute to her sister and brother-in-law on Facebook, Ms Ballo’s sister Lei Ortega-Moises said she knew they both were “in a good place with the Lord”.

“It’s sad to think that you left us like this,” she wrote.

“We love you very much. It hurts so much for me/us that you are gone.

“We couldn’t believe it.”

She thanked her churchmates and friends for their fellowship, including the church leadership.

“We love you so much sister and brother. Rest in paradise,” she wrote.

Police confirmed in a statement on Friday the pair had drowned but said their deaths were not suspicious.