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Skarlent Rodríguez, the 23-year-old Venezuelan model crowned Miss Grand Orlando 2025, and her boyfriend José Castro were found dead on June 29 among the rubble of the building where they lived in Catia La Mar, La Guaira, five days after the devastating earthquakes that shook Venezuela on June 24, 2026.
The news was confirmed by the family through a campaign on GoFundMe. "Unfortunately, today, June 29, 2026, both were found deceased... one next to the other, together until the end," the relatives wrote on that platform.
The couple was in their apartment when the building collapsed due to the seismic movements of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, the most powerful recorded in Venezuela since 1900 according to the United States Geological Survey.
La Guaira was the area most affected by the disaster: 158 out of 189 buildings were completely destroyed in that port city, which served as the epicenter of the catastrophe.
The tragedy was not limited to the couple. José Castro's family also suffered devastating losses in the same earthquake: his father, grandmother, uncle, and aunt lost their lives.
"The process of searching for and recovering the bodies has been extremely costly. Skarlent's family has also been unable to work since the day we received the news," the relatives detailed in the statement.
To cover the funeral expenses, which the family estimates at $22,000, the Rodríguez-Castro family launched a fundraisng initiative that, at the time of publication, had gathered $12,000 of the initial goal of $16,000.
"Any collaboration, no matter how small, is profoundly significant. And if you can't donate, sharing this campaign is an immense help," they requested.
Skarlent had lived in Florida, United States, before returning to Venezuela with her boyfriend. At just 22 years old, she won the crown of Miss Grand Orlando 2025, a pageant in which she was described as a young woman "passionate, disciplined, and driven by purpose," with deep connections to music, modeling, dance, and acting.
After that title, she represented her city in Miss Grand Florida 2025, where she placed fourth, despite living with a physical condition that extended from her back to her feet, making it difficult for her to walk in heels or stand for long periods.
Upon receiving her crown, the young woman declared: "This is more than a title; it is a mission: to be a voice, to guide with heart, and to leave a mark of kindness and strength."
Following the announcement of her death, the organization Miss Grand International expressed its sorrow: "With deep sadness, we mourn the tragic passing of Skarlent Rodríguez, Miss Grand Orlando 2025, due to the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela."
The Ivana García modeling academy, of which Skarlent was a part, also paid tribute: "Her elegance, sweetness, strength, and beautiful smile will remain in our hearts forever."
The death of the young model adds to a growing list of Venezuelan public figures who have perished in the disaster, which as of July 1 had an official toll of 2,295 dead and more than 11,000 injured, with the UN estimating up to 50,000 missing throughout the country.
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