A woman whose husband died "the worst death imaginable" has opened up about the persistent online trolling she has endured following his death.
The incident unfolded when John was exploring the 'Nutty Putty' hydrothermal cave in Utah alongside his brother in November 2009.
John's exploratory adventure took a fatal turn when he became wedged in the cave's confined passages, leading to what has been described as "the worst death imaginable" by the media.
As recounted by Emily, John's exploration led him to the so-called "Birth Canal of the cave," a narrow crevice measuring just 10 inches across and 18 inches high. Despite his best efforts, he found himself trapped and immobilized within the passage.
Despite heroic rescue attempts, John remained trapped in the cave for a harrowing 25 hours, struggling for air. Ultimately, his body succumbed to the ordeal, leaving him to lose his life within the confines of the cave.
The Nutty Putty cave, where the heart-wrenching incident occurred, has since been sealed off and transformed into a memorial, serving as a solemn reminder of the tragedy that took place.
In the aftermath of her husband's devastating passing, Emily Jones Sanchez, who was pregnant at the time of the incident, has faced a barrage of online abuse and harassment.
Despite having moved forward with her life, remarrying, and even welcoming a new child with her second husband, Donovan Sanchez, Emily continues to be subjected to hurtful remarks and criticism from internet trolls.
The harassment primarily revolves around the timeline of Emily's personal journey, with critics questioning the speed at which she chose to move on after the loss of her first husband.
Her critics invoke religious considerations due to Emily's affiliation with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, arguing that she should have waited to be reunited with her late husband in the afterlife.
Upon sharing a photo of herself with Donovan Sanchez on Facebook, Emily found herself inundated with derogatory comments. Sarcastic remarks such as: "I'm sure John wanted her to move 3 YEARS AFTER HIS TRAGIC DEATH", and: "She moved on pretty quick I'd say, married again after just 3 years?", flooded the comment section.
Another comment read: "Clearly she has moved on, no mention of John anywhere or any f***s given. And she married some guy 3 years after her husband died the worst death imaginable."
In a candid interview with Deseret News, she spoke about her ability to remember and honor John while moving forward with her life. "It's never been hard to talk about John," Emily said.
Her second husband, Donovan, has been understanding and supportive of her journey, acknowledging John's place in their family's heart, particularly for the sake of their children.
"Ever since I first met Donovan, he's been really comfortable with John continuing to be a part of our family and our lives, especially because of our kids," Emily said.
She went on to explain that Donavon makes genuine efforts to stay connected with the Jones family and maintain a sense of unity.