Family Seeks Help to Bring Deceased Oregon Father Home After Tragic Flight

An Oregon man, Andres Castro, age 39, tragically died from a heart attack while flying home from a family trip in South America. Sitting next to his wife during the flight from Bolivia, he unexpectedly stopped breathing, prompting the pilots to make an emergency landing in Colombia. Despite efforts by emergency responders, Castro was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Castro’s body remains in Colombia, and his family is working to arrange his repatriation to Oregon for a funeral, a process that could cost approximately $25,000. His loved ones, including his wife Suanny, son AJ, siblings, and parents, are overwhelmed and are seeking support to cover the expenses and navigate the complicated logistics of international repatriation.

The incident has deeply affected the family, who shared that Castro had been in Bolivia celebrating birthdays and visiting his wife’s family before his sudden passing. His sister, Tiffany Castro, expressed her heartbreak, emphasizing the difficulty of coping with such a loss so soon. Despite the age gap, she shares a close bond with her brother and finds it hard to accept his absence.

The fundraiser was set up to help the 'stretched thin' family, as the siblings have worked together as caregivers for their mother. — The family has initiated a fundraiser to aid in bringing Castro’s body back to the US, as they also manage caregiving responsibilities for their mother who fell ill earlier this year.

The family has reached out to a senator for assistance in expediting Castro’s return home. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help cover the estimated costs and support the family through this devastating time. As of now, nearly $14,800 has been raised toward the $25,000 goal.

Relatives remain hopeful and trust that, with help and faith, they will find a way forward. The family is committed to honoring Castro’s memory with a proper farewell and is grateful for community support during this heartbreaking period.