A groom-to-be was found dead just days before his wedding after a devastating earthquake struck Colombia. As reported by People, he is among almost three hundred people who have tragically died.
The earthquake struck the capital of Colombia, Bogotá, on Monday, August 3. The epicenter was in San José del Palmar, almost 200 miles away from the capital; however, it still wreaked havoc on the capital.
Over 2,700 people had been reported missing, and 600 were reportedly injured. As of Friday, August 14, at least 287 people have died.
One of these people who was originally reported missing was 24-year-old Juan Felipe Giraldo. The eyewear salesman was engaged to his fiancée Natalia Patiño, and they were set to get married in Bogotá.
In the days before his body was found, his father, Hernán Giraldo, was still hopeful his son was alive. "I'm here waiting to hug my son, alive," he explained. He also noted his son had been in a hotel at the time of the earthquake.
"He was in that hotel room. I've been here since Monday night in case something happens, to find him," he added.
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He Was Found Dead Days After the Earthquake
In a statement shared with the Spanish-language outlet Hoy Diario del Magdalena, authorities confirmed they had tragically found Giraldo's body.
"COL 30 carried out the recovery of the lifeless body of a male individual named Juan Felipe Giraldo, identified by family members," they wrote. "This was done in conjunction with COL 11 and COL 13 at worksite C10, Hotel Dibeni."
His fiancée also explained that she had received false information about his survival. She, alongside his parents, had traveled to the capital to try and find him.
However, he was nowhere to be found. Patiño explained, "After failing to find him, we were once again left in that state of uncertainty."
After his tragic passing was confirmed, his fiancée took to social media to mourn his passing. Patiño wrote on Instagram Stories, "Forever and always in my heart. You were the most complete love I ever had. I love you forever."
May he rest in peace.
