Almost three months after the tragedy, the authorities of Broward County confirmed on April 3 that the bodies found in the landing gear of a JetBlue airplane on January 6 belonged to the Dominican teenagers Elvis Borquez Castillo, aged 16, and Jake Anilus Lucy, aged 17.
The tragedy, which desde its beginning shook people due to its circumstances, has now taken on a face and a heartrending voice: that of a mother who still does not understand why her son got on that plane.
Ironely Castillo, mother of Elvis, shared in statements to Univision the heartbreak she has been experiencing since she learned that her son was one of the victims.
“They should try not to go through what I went through,” the woman advises through tears, urging parents to communicate frequently with their children.
"Perhaps he didn't feel comfortable talking openly with me, not because I didn’t support him, but sometimes that kind of youth, when they are in that situation, can be a bit..." he added, alluding in a trembling voice to the typical difficulties of adolescence.
"May they draw closer to their children each day and listen to them… not that I didn't listen to mine, I did listen to him", added the woman, who reiterated that perhaps her son didn't dare to tell her something like that.
Ironely's anguish is not only due to the loss but also to the unanswered questions: What led her son to hide in a plane? Who convinced him? Who guided him? Was he fleeing from something?
The official confirmation, another blow
Since January, the families knew that something terrible had happened. The signs were strong, but there was no official confirmation. That certainty arrived three months later, and rather than providing solace, it has reignited the pain.
"Since being told the complete truth can also bring additional pain and revive that anguish, along with the time that has passed, which no one can return to their children," expressed Angel Leonel Canó, the lawyer representing both families.
On January 6, workers at Fort Lauderdale International Airport in Florida made a chilling discovery.
Two bodies were found inside the landing gear compartment of a plane coming from New York.
It was a flight from the airline JetBlue that, according to records, had previously been in Jamaica, Utah, New York, and the Dominican Republic.
Investigations suggest that the young people hid in the plane on January 5, likely during its stopover in the Dominican Republic, although this has not yet been confirmed.
Did they do it by themselves?
The lawyer Canó does not rule out the possibility that someone may have guided the minors to attempt this illegal journey.
"Someone must have told him, 'come in here, get on here, this is the plane, don't sit in the back, sit in the front.' There are questions we will also ask based on the investigation that comes from the Department of Homeland Security," he stated.
The fact that two minors managed to access a highly restricted area of a commercial airplane without being detected has raised serious questions about security failures at airports.
Frequently Asked Questions about the tragic incident involving the landing gear of the JetBlue plane
Who were the young people found in the landing gear of the JetBlue plane?
The young individuals found in the landing gear of the JetBlue plane were Elvis Borquez Castillo, 16 years old, and Jake Anilus Lucy, 17 years old, both Dominican teenagers. They were identified through photographs and confirmed by DNA testing. The families of the young men are facing painful uncertainty as they seek answers regarding the circumstances of their deaths.
How did the young people manage to access the plane's landing gear?
The exact circumstances of how the young individuals accessed the landing gear are still under investigation. It is speculated that they may have boarded the plane during its stopover in the Dominican Republic. This case has raised serious concerns about security failures at airports, as the minors gained access to a highly restricted area without being detected.
What are the dangers of traveling in an airplane's landing gear?
Traveling in the landing gear of an airplane carries extreme risks, such as asphyxiation, lack of oxygen, and low temperatures that can drop to -50 degrees Celsius. Furthermore, the space is not pressurized and there is a risk of being crushed by the landing gear mechanism. According to aviation experts, the chances of surviving under such conditions are extremely low.
What measures are being taken to investigate the case of the Dominican youths?
The authorities in Broward County and the Department of Homeland Security are conducting investigations to clarify the case. Attorney Angel Leonel Canó, who represents the families of the youths, has indicated that the circumstances allowing the youths to access the plane will be examined, as well as the possibility that someone may have guided them in attempting this illegal journey.
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