Hellen Wendy

Donation page started for Toronto woman who drowned while live-streaming herself

This is a heartbreaking story. Last week North York resident Hellen Wendy was live-streaming herself swimming in a Collingwood pool when her phone captured herself drowning.

The live-stream, which lasted three hours, on Wendy's Facebook page was watched thousands of times and ended when somebody located her body.

When blogTO found Wendy's page on Aug. 19, the video had been shared over 1,000 times with nearly 9,000 comments questioning her safety.

toronto woman drown

A screenshot of the comments left on Hellen Wendy's Facebook page.

The video was subsequently taken down from the page just minutes after.

Toronto Police confirmed they were aware of the drowning but had not investigated it because it occurred outside the city. 

Now, Hellen's family have started a GoFundMe campaign to collect donations for their loved one.

"Hellen Wendy was full of life. With a warm smile and a charming heart. Everyone everyone who met Wendy had their spirits lifted. She was passionate about her work and she touched many hearts," read the campaign page started by Wendy's sister Enock Nyabuto.

toronto woman drownShe confirms that Wendy was living in Toronto and working a temporary job in Collingwood but that her family lives in Kisii, Kenya.

Wendy's page indicated she was a student at Toronto Metropolitan University.

The family was looking to raise $50,000 to fly Wendy's body back to Nairobi, Kenya and to hold a funeral there.

"Your generous contributions towards this cause are highly appreciated as we go through this extreme circumstances of losing a loved one."

Created just five days ago, the campaign has exceed the family's original goal and raised nearly $60,000.

Multiple posts on Twitter stated that Wendy had worked as a nurse before and remembered her loving nature. 

Lead photo by

GoFundMe


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in City

Ontario might see rainy and unpleasant weather for 2024 Victoria Day weekend

Yet another shocking GTA shopping mall jewellery store robbery caught on video

Toronto neighbourhood is getting a stunning new boardwalk near a ravine

Canada will have best chance to see Northern Lights this weekend in almost 20 years

Metrolinx shows off basically complete Toronto LRT that you still aren't allowed to ride

A 'zombie' virus is running rampant among Toronto raccoons

An invasive insect is threatening the destruction of Ontario forests

Ontario ranked the angriest province in all of Canada and no one is surprised