Oregon Father Dies of Heart Attack Mid-Flight Returning From Birthday Trip to Bolivia

Andres Castro, 39, died Monday after suffering a fatal heart attack on a flight back to Oregon from Bolivia

A 39-year-old Oregon father tragically died of a heart attack while flying home from a vacation in Bolivia where he had been celebrating birthdays with his wife, according to relatives. Andres Castro suffered a sudden medical emergency during the flight on Monday and “suddenly stopped breathing,” his brother Teo Ramirez said.

The plane made an emergency landing in Colombia, where Castro was rushed to a hospital, but doctors were unable to save him. His family said it remains unclear whether he had any underlying health conditions.

Castro pictured in South America with his wife Suannay where they were celebrating their birthdays

Now his grieving relatives are trying to raise $25,000 to repatriate his body to Oregon. Ramirez said they are working with funeral services in Colombia to prepare and transport him back to the United States for burial. “We’re stretched thin and our focus is bringing my brother’s body back to Oregon,” Ramirez explained, noting that he and his siblings had already been caring for their mother, who has been suffering from severe heart failure since April.

Castro leaves behind his wife, Suannay, their young son AJ, his parents, and his siblings. His sister Tiffany Castro described her devastation, saying, “We all miss him. We just can’t believe he’s gone. I feel broken, our whole family… it’s hard, trying to keep it together the best that we can.” She said the family has been working with the U.S. embassy to manage the process of returning his remains.

He leaves behind his family members, including several siblings, his wife and their son AJ (pictured with his late dad)

Another sister, Anna Castro, shared a tribute alongside family photos, writing, “I can’t believe my family have to go through another loss today. My older brother Andres passed away while coming back to the United States from Bolivia. It still doesn’t feel real. Please keep our family in your prayers.”

Oregon State Senator Ron Wyden confirmed he is assisting the family with navigating the international process of bringing Castro’s body back. As of Wednesday afternoon, a fundraising campaign had collected nearly $14,000 to help cover costs for transportation and funeral services in Portland and Gresham.