Dubai: For 46 days Jonathan Beeton swung between life and death. Forty-six days that finally got the better of the South African rugby player when he breathed his last on Wednesday morning.
In an online message, his 23-year-old widow, Tammy Beeton, wrote, "Jon passed peacefully at 6am. I will love you forever! Rest in Peace. You will forever be in my heart." She signed it off with three kisses. Three kisses to end a relationship that never made it to a decade. Together for eight years and married for six months when Beeton had a boating accident on June 17, Tammy now faces life as a widow.
Understandably avoiding the public gaze, Tammy was unavailable for comment.
Facebook tributes, however, haven't stopped pouring in.
"You did and achieved more in your 27 years than most people do in their entire lives. Your inspiration will be your legacy. Sleep tight, Jonathan Beeton my man" wrote a close friend on Beeton's wall, just hours after his death. Meanwhile, a Facebook profile photo of Beeton's brother shows a newly-acquired tattoo of Jon's face with the words "My Man" inscribed below. In a heartfelt message, he says, "RIP my Big Man the world lost a legend today, I will love you forever u will be with me always."
Deeply missed
Echoing his words is Beeton's best friend Derrick Murray. "Lost my best friend this morning. Jono's fight is over and he is at peace now. RIP my man. I'll never stop missing you and I'll never forget you!"
In a touching poem on the Jonathan Beeton Prayer Chain Facebook page, Murray wrote: "You can remember him only that he is gone, or you can cherish his memory and let it live on. You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back. Or you can do what he'd want: Smile, open your eyes, love and go on."
Beeton, who was declared clinically brain-dead since June, passed away at 6am on August 3 at the Rashid Hospital in Dubai. According to his wife, his death was peaceful. Beeton, known as Studente to all his rugby mates, was fatally injured on June 17 when he lost his balance and fell on a boat during a friend's party.
In an earlier interview to XPRESS, Tammy had said that although she hoped for a miracle, she was ready to accept the truth. "The doctors said it's only a matter of days or weeks before Jon's organs start failing," she said. That timeline ended yesterday.
Although details of the funeral are not out, Tammy told XPRESS in July that in the event of Beeton's death, she would like to "have a funeral in Dubai, a cremation hopefully, and then take his ashes to South Africa for his final rites".
In a statement issued just hours after his death, the family referred to Jon as "a devoted husband, cherished brother, beloved son, amazing friend and stoic rugby player, [who] will be missed by all of those that knew him".
