A woman whose partner fell off a cruise while out at sea believes he may still be alive despite the search being called off.
Warwick Tollemache, 35, from Brisbane in Australia, fell from the Quantum of the Seas cruise ship around 870 miles south of Hawaii.
His girlfriend Celina La Roche has posted a heartbreaking tribute to her partner of six years, The Mirror reported.
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In the post, she said: "I love you, always have and always will. RIP my love.'
Speaking in an interview she said she believed they should continue looking, adding that she doesn't understand why they stopped the search.
"We were cruising in the South Pacific last month and I was going to move in with him. I was still hoping until I heard they'd stopped the search and now… he could still be alive in the middle of nowhere."
Celina wants his body found as a way of having some closure, and is yet to receive it despite the US Coast Guard scoured the ocean from the sea and air.
The search was described as "almost impossible" after large overnight waves made conditions treacherous for search parties.
The man's family members and Australian officials were asked first before it was decided to call it off.
In a statement, his family said: "Our family is heartbroken at the loss of our beloved Warwick.
"He was a kind, beautiful, and gentle soul who was adored by everyone who knew him. He will be deeply missed.
"We kindly ask for privacy during this difficult time. Thank you for your understanding."
His loved ones took to social media to post tributes following the devastating news.
"I will miss you dearly my friend, my brother, my heart is aching so much knowing that I won't get to see you again or give you a hug," one friend wrote.
Another, known to the family said: "He left an indelible mark on all who knew him and he will live on in all of us. My heart is breaking... for you, for him, for all your beautiful family. He will be so very missed."
Kevin Cooper, search and rescue mission coordinator stated: "The coast guard has made the difficult decision to suspend the active search for the passenger aboard the Quantum of the Seas."
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