Former Florida beauty queen Skarlent Rodríguez, 23, and her boyfriend José Castro were found dead lying side-by-side beneath the rubble of their collapsed apartment building in Venezuela, following the devastating earthquakes that struck the country on June 24.
Discovery of the Bodies
The couple had been missing for several days after their building in Catia La Mar, La Guaira state, collapsed during one of the earthquakes, according to HOLA! magazine. After an extensive search-and-rescue effort, their bodies were recovered on Monday, buried together under the debris. The Rodríguez and Castro families announced the tragic discovery on their joint GoFundMe page, stating: "Sadly, they were both found dead…side by side, together until the very end."
The families added: "There are no words to describe the pain we are living." Castro's father, grandmother, uncle, and aunt also died in the disaster.
Background of Skarlent Rodríguez
Rodríguez, originally from Venezuela, gained international recognition after being crowned Miss Grand Orlando in Florida's competition last year. The Miss Grand Florida organization mourned her loss on social media, reflecting on her "radiant smile, warm spirit, and unwavering positivity [that] touched everyone she encountered, both on and off the stage."
"She will be remembered not only for her beauty and accomplishments but also for the way she uplifted others and carried herself with dignity and light," the organization continued. "Her legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of her fellow queens, judges, directors, and all members of the Miss Grand Florida family."
Impact of the Earthquakes
Following the catastrophic earthquakes on June 24, Venezuelan authorities confirmed that at least 1,719 people have died, with approximately 5,000 more injured. The quakes caused widespread destruction, particularly in the coastal state of La Guaira, where Rodríguez and Castro lived.
