Tributes paid to woman killed by Great white shark as family watched on

A homeless community has spoken out following the death of one of its volunteers who was killed by a shark.

In the early morning of Sunday, 25 September, Kimon Bisogno was swimming in Plettenberg Bay, Cape Town, when she was attacked by a great white shark.

The 39-year-old was alone in the water, but her husband, Diego Milesi and daughter were watching her from the shore.

Unfortunately, with no lifeguards yet on duty, and with Milesi with their daughter, no one was able to try and help Bisogno as the incident unfolded.

Kimon Bisogno/Facebook

Despite the attempts of her husband and onlookers to raise the alarm during the attack, Bisogno was killed by the shark.

Her remains were later found 50 yards from the shore by a rescue team.

The attack is the second to have happened this year, with warnings having been made about increased shark activity, and officials having since closed all beaches on Plettenberg Bay.

The beaches - sprawling over 22 miles - will not be reopened until the waters are deemed safe to swim in.

Tributes have since poured in for Bisogno - known to many as 'Kiki' - who, as well as having a restaurant with her husband called Ferdinando’s Pizza in Observatory, was also an active member of the community, supplying homemade pasta and teaching classes to homeless people.

Kimon Bisogno/Facebook

As well as all of this, Bisogno also taught yoga, meditation and gave life skills sessions to people in need.

The 39-year-old and her husband were also 'active supporters' of Rainbow House, which is 'a supportive housing model, piloted by Observatory Improvement District, 'for people living on the streets of Observatory,' donating essentials such as food and gas.

The Observatory Improvement District took to Facebook to commemorate Bisogno. It shared words by 'some of those involved with OBSID on whose lives she had such an impact… Stanley, Neville, Chuma, Ruwayda, Xolile, Jordan and André'.

The group said: "We’ve lost the biggest icon in the Obs community. You supported the homeless and we won’t forget the human values you taught us”

"Wednesdays will never be the same, but we’ll carry the spirit of peace in our hearts. As you always said after our sessions – VERY GOOD! VERY GOOD! Rest in power, Kimon."

Ndifuna Ukwazi - which 'provides legal, research and organising support to communities in struggles for urban land justice, affordable housing and tenure security' - called Bisogno 'passionate' and someone who 'sought real solutions'.

Claire Commins took to Facebook to state: "My condolences to Diego, Carminda, Luna and the rest of your unbelievable family and friends who absolutely adored you!

"What a gigantic void you have left in everyone’s heart. "

Eric Miller wrote: "It’s hard to find the right words to describe Kimon Bisogno, some have called her a ‘force of nature’, a tsunami of righteous energy, and many similar accolades. She was an extraordinary human being. A painfully rare energetic and visionary Good Human.

"Her death is and will be mourned by many, all of whom have in some way been touched by her vision and energy in creating and manifesting a better world."

If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677 

Topics: Animals, World News, Social Media, Facebook, Twitter

Poppy Bilderbeck

Poppy Bilderbeck is a Senior Journalist at LADbible Group. She graduated from The University of Manchester in 2021 with a First in English Literature and Drama, where alongside her studies she was Editor-in-Chief of The Tab Manchester. Poppy is most comfortable when chatting about all things mental health, is proving a drama degree is far from useless by watching and reviewing as many TV shows and films as possible and is such a crisp fanatic the office has been forced to release them in batches.