A senior missionary from Utah serving in Vanuatu in the South Pacific died Saturday, July 22, 2023, from injuries sustained in a weekend car accident.
Sister Marina Carver, 59, of Riverton Utah, and her husband, Elder Richard Carver — serving on the island of Santo in the Vanuatu Port Vila Mission — were traveling Friday, July 21, when another vehicle reportedly veered into their lane of traffic, causing a head-on collision, said Sam Penrod, spokesman for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in a statement released Sunday, July 23, on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Both Elder Carver and Sister Carver were taken to a local hospital and later transferred to a hospital in Port Vila. “Sister Carver tragically passed away due to internal injuries on Saturday evening,” said Penrod, adding that Elder Carver continues to receive additional medical evaluation but is expected to recover from his injuries.
Elder and Sister Carver began serving in the Port Vila mission in October 2022 and were assigned as member and leader support missionaries.
“We send our deepest condolences to Elder Carver, their children and extended family members,” Penrod said. “We pray they will be comforted with their understanding of Sister Carver’s faith in Heavenly Father’s plan for families to be together forever.”
