Robert Safford, 33, a former Marine and single father has died in a boating accident in the British Virgin Islands, leaving his daughter an orphan.

He was identified by Royal Virgin Island police on Wednesday, after he was seen floating off the coast of Great Harbour on Jost Van Dyke with head injuries on March 22.

Before his death, Safford’s late wife Rachele died of cancer in September 22, aged just 33, meaning the late couple now leave a toddler Isabella behind as an orphan. 

Safford suffered head injuries and his boat was found nearby. Police ruled out foul play, and said his death was an accident.

‘The one male occupant was found unresponsive in the waters with injuries to the head while the dinghy he was in was met circling in the area,’ the RVIPF reported at the time.

‘Following attempts to resuscitate him, he was pronounced dead.’

‘Rob was a single father but not by choice,’ said his friend Joey Butrico, a former Marine who now hosts a podcast talking to veterans about mental health.

‘Rachele, Rob’s wife, and Bella’s mother, lost her battle with cancer in 2022.’

Launching a GoFundMe appeal, Butrico wrote: ‘We are looking to get as much support as possible to help Bella’s grandparents and family.

‘Raising a child is not easy; hopefully, we can lessen the financial burden through this difficult time.’