Tragedy Strikes as California Tourist Becomes First Victim of Maui Wildfires

Theresa Cook, a 72-year-old grandmother from California, tragically became the first tourist identified among the 115 confirmed victims in the Maui wildfires. She died just one day before her scheduled flight back home. Cook had saved up for the trip to find solitude and rest, describing the island as healing. Her children held out hope for weeks, seeking answers from local officials and relief groups, but received the devastating news of her death nine days later. The fire, which started when a transformer blew and ignited dry grass, destroyed the historic town of Lahaina and has claimed the lives of 115 people, with 1,100 still missing.