Venezuela Quake Rubble Claims Florida Beauty Queen Skarlent Rodríguez, Partner

The devastating earthquakes that rocked Venezuela last week have tragically claimed the life of a former Florida beauty queen, Skarlent Rodríguez, aged 23, and her boyfriend, José Castro. The couple's bodies were discovered side-by-side beneath the debris of their collapsed apartment building, following an extensive search operation.

Rodríguez and Castro had been reported missing for several days after their residence in Catia La Mar, a heavily impacted area within La Guaira state, succumbed to one of the powerful tremors on June 24. HOLA! magazine initially reported their disappearance. Their families, in a joint announcement on their GoFundMe page, confirmed the recovery of their loved ones' bodies on Monday, buried together under the rubble.

"Sadly, they were both found dead…side by side, together until the very end," the grieving families shared on the fundraising platform, expressing their profound sorrow. The statement further conveyed, "There are no words to describe the pain we are living." The tragedy extended deeply into Castro's family, as his father, grandmother, uncle, and aunt also perished in the catastrophic Venezuelan disaster.

Skarlent Rodríguez, a native of the South American nation, had recently gained international prominence after securing the Miss Grand Orlando title in Florida's competition last year. The Miss Grand Florida organization released a statement mourning her untimely death, highlighting her "radiant smile, warm spirit, and unwavering positivity [that] touched everyone she encountered, both on and off the stage." The organization added, "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. 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."

Venezuelan authorities have confirmed a grim toll from the June 24 earthquakes, with at least 1,719 fatalities and approximately 5,000 individuals sustaining injuries.