Man dies mid-flight from birthday trip with wife

A man died on his flight home from a trip for his wife's birthday celebration.

According to a GoFundMe page organized by his sibling Teo Ramirez, Andres Castro—a 39-year-old man from Oregon—was returning to the US from Bolivia with his partner Suanny when he suffered a heart attack.

The plane made an emergency landing in Colombia, where Castro was rushed to a hospital but was pronounced dead moments later.

Ramirez said his brother's sudden death is an “unimaginable loss” that brought a kind of grief “we never thought we’d experience.” 

Castro's sister Tiffany also mourned his death in an interview with KOIN 6 News. “I feel broken, our whole family, it’s hard, trying to keep it together the best that we can.”

His family is working with authorities and the US Embassy in bringing his body back home.

Per Ramirez, Castro's remains are being held by Colombian forensic authorities for official identification before release. While old records have been submitted, authorities told Castro's family they “may not be sufficient” and verification will “still take time.” 

The funds that are being gathered in the fundraising initiative will be used to cover funeral expenses and the repatriation of Castro’s brother, with costs estimated at around $25,000 or P1.4 million.