A 39-year-old father from Oregon tragically passed away due to a heart attack while traveling back from a birthday trip in South America with his wife.
Andres Castro reportedly “suddenly stopped breathing” on Monday during the flight home from Bolivia. An online fundraiser has been set up to support his family.
Emergency personnel rushed to assist, but it was too late; he was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital.
Castro is survived by his wife Snee, their son AJ, and other family members, who have expressed their grief.
“This is not the sadness we imagined we would face this quickly,” said his brother, reflecting on the sudden loss.
The couple had been in South America to celebrate their birthdays and visit Snee’s family before this devastating incident occurred.
“We all miss him. I can’t believe he’s gone,” shared Tiffany Castro, his sister. “It’s so hard for our family; we’re trying to stay strong.” She expressed how she always looked up to her older brother, despite their age difference.
“It’s hard to believe he’s not here,” she added quietly.
Castro’s medical emergency forced the plane to make an emergency landing in Colombia.
Sadly, his body remains in Colombia as the family navigates the difficult process of bringing him back to Oregon for his funeral. They estimate it could cost around $25,000.
“It’s a process involving the embassy and our family,” Tiffany explained. “We’re all figuring things out together.”
The fundraiser was initiated to assist the family during this challenging time, especially given their previous struggles as caregivers for their mother, who had health issues.
In a show of faith, Ramirez shared, “We know we can trust in God to guide us through this.” They’ve also reached out to Senator Ron Wyden for help in returning Castro’s body to the U.S.
According to reports, Wyden’s office is currently working with the family to coordinate with the U.S. embassy in Colombia.
As of Wednesday night, the fundraiser had raised nearly $14,800 toward its $25,000 goal. Ramirez expressed gratitude, saying, “Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for supporting us during this difficult time.”
