The captain of Venezuela's national volleyball team, Willner Rivas Quijada, aged 31, was tragically found dead alongside his wife, Mariángel Pérez, and their young son Theo, just a year and a half old. Their bodies were discovered eleven days after being trapped under debris following the catastrophic earthquakes that struck Venezuela's La Guaira state on June 24.
This heartbreaking news was confirmed on Sunday by Club Voleibol Guaguas, the reigning champion of Spain's Superliga. Rivas had recently signed with the team to compete in the 2026-2027 season.
"It is with profound sadness that we confirm the passing of Willner Rivas, his wife Mariángel Pérez, and their young son Theo, who were found deceased after being buried for eleven days due to the earthquake that devastated Venezuela. The CV Guaguas extends its deepest condolences to their family. May they rest in peace," the club stated in a message shared on social media.
The Venezuelan Volleyball Federation also acknowledged the family's death, paying tribute to their national team captain.
Their remains were retrieved from the rubble of the collapsed building, a victim of the dual tremors that ravaged parts of La Guaira.
The confirmation brings closure to an arduous eleven-day search that engaged family, teammates, sports officials, and thousands who followed the story online.
Rivas was last known to be at home on the afternoon of June 24, when two powerful quakes, with magnitudes of 7.5 and 7.2 just 39 seconds apart, caused widespread destruction across the region.
Having recently become a key acquisition for Guaguas, Rivas was poised to strengthen the Spanish squad following the departure of Cuban player Osmany Juantorena.
The loss of the Rivas family is part of a broader tragedy that claimed the lives of other sports figures during the disaster.
Among the deceased are four soccer players, including 18-year-old Yimvert Berroterán of Caracas FC, and basketball player Gilberto Hernández, who perished with his wife.
On the same Sunday, the bodies of Patricia Salazar and Eliana Alfonzo, the wife and daughter of former Venezuelan Major Leaguer Eliézer Alfonzo, were also recovered from the ruins of Hotel Eduard's in Macuto after an eleven-day search.
According to the latest official figures, the dual earthquakes on June 24 have resulted in 3,342 confirmed deaths and 16,740 injuries, with thousands displaced and extensive material damage.
The United Nations estimates that approximately 50,000 people remain missing, and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) warns that the final death toll may rise significantly, marking this as the most devastating natural disaster recorded in Venezuela in over a century.
Impact of the La Guaira Earthquake
What caused the deaths of Willner Rivas and his family?
Willner Rivas, his wife, and his son were found deceased after being trapped under the debris caused by the earthquakes that hit La Guaira, Venezuela.
How many people have been affected by the La Guaira earthquakes?
The earthquakes have resulted in over 3,342 deaths, 16,740 injuries, and the displacement of thousands, with the death toll expected to rise.
Who else in the sports community was affected by the disaster?
The disaster claimed the lives of several athletes, including four soccer players and basketball player Gilberto Hernández, among others.