A 39-year-old husband and father has sadly died after experiencing a medical emergency while on a flight from Bolivia to the US.
Andres Castro lived in Oregon, but earlier this month he was spending time in Bolivia with his wife, Suanny, as the couple both celebrated their birthdays and visited Suanny's family.
The couple flew back to the US on August 25, but while on the plane Castro 'suddenly stop breathing'.
A GoFundMe page set up by Teo Ramirez, who identified himself as Castro's brother, explained that the plane made an emergency landing in Colombia and Castro was rushed to hospital.
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Unfortunately, however, doctors were unable to save him.
Ramirez said Castro had suffered a heart attack, with his death coming just a few months after his own mom experienced 'severe heart failure', leaving Ramirez and his siblings as her 'primary caregivers'.
On the fundraising page, Ramirez explained that the family are now trying to transport Castro's body back to his home in Oregon, though he noted the family are 'stretched thin'.
"We are trying to work with funeral services in Colombia to return his body to Oregon," Ramirez explained. "The estimated cost is around $25,000 to prepare and transport him home and hold a funeral here."
Speaking to KOIN 6 News, Castro's sister, Tiffany, discussed the requirements to bring Castro home, saying: "It’s a process with the embassy and my family. We’re all just trying to work together to figure it out."
"We all miss him. We just can’t believe he’s gone," Tiffany added. "I feel broken, our whole family, it’s hard, trying to keep it together the best that we can."
Ramirez added on GoFundMe: "We humbly ask for your prayers, for you to share this GoFundMe, and, if you are able, for any financial support you can provide. Every prayer, share, and donation means so much to us as we walk this difficult road.
"We put our trust in God and know that He will provide a path forward. He always makes a way."
He also added that Castro's death is an 'unimaginable loss', saying that the dad leaves behind 'his wife, Suanny, his son AJ, his siblings, and parents who loved him deeply'.
At the time of writing (August 28), the fundraiser has raised just over $16,400 of its $25,000 goal.
Ramirez issued an update on the page to thank donors for their 'incredible support', explaining that they are now working with the senator's office to bring home Castro's body.
If you'd like to donate to the GoFundMe, you can do so here.
Emily Brown