Aylín Mujica shared a heart-wrenching account on Telemundo's La Mesa Caliente regarding the death of her son, Mauro Menéndez. She recounted the distressing events leading up to his passing and the anguish she felt upon arriving in Barbados, unsure of where his body was.
The discussion with journalist Verónica Bastos took place at the Cuban actress's home in Miami on a Wednesday.
"I wasn't ready for an interview, but if it's with you, it won't be an interview; it will be to clarify, narrate, and provide strength to all mothers who have gone through this," Mujica stated at the start.
"The most devastating thing for any human, not just a woman, is losing a child," she expressed.
A Final Farewell to Mauro
In a public tribute, Mujica dedicated the interview to Mauro: "I want to bid farewell to my firstborn, Mauro, through this program that I love dearly. He hasn't left; he's still here with me."
Reflecting on their last conversation, Mujica shared that about 24 hours before his death, Mauro informed her via message that he had been diagnosed with severe pneumonia at a hospital but felt better after receiving antibiotics.
"The family urged him to stay in Miami, but Mauro decided to continue with his plans and traveled to Barbados," she explained.
The Heartbreaking Phone Call
While in Bogotá, Colombia, filming Top Chef VIP, Mujica received the devastating news of her son's hospitalization. The production team arranged an early morning flight to Barbados, but before she could board, Mauro's father, Osamu Menéndez, called to inform her of his passing.
She described enduring the shock alone during a layover in Panama, while her brother informed the rest of the family.
"I keep hoping to wake up from this nightmare," she confessed. Struggling with disbelief, she resolved to remain strong to reach her son in Barbados.
A Search for Answers in Barbados
Upon arriving in Barbados, Aylín and Osamu faced further heartbreak. They arrived at the hospital to find confusion and no one able to tell them where Mauro's body was.
"We couldn't find the doctors; nobody knew anything. We were told all information desks were closed," she recounted.
Despite their desperate search, it wasn't until staff witnessed their tears that they were informed Mauro's body had been moved to a closed funeral home.
Mauro's Final Moments
At the funeral home, Aylín had one final embrace with her son. "I hugged him, questioned why he had to leave, and kissed his cold cheek, but he looked peaceful," she shared.
She received some of his belongings, including a necklace, bracelet, and shorts, still sandy and wet from the sea, recalling these details with a trembling voice.
The actress expressed the pain of knowing Mauro passed away without family by his side, despite having been surrounded by love throughout his life.
Deciding to Cremate
Faced with complex and lengthy procedures to repatriate the body to Miami, Aylín and Osamu chose cremation, respecting Mauro's wishes not to be seen in such a state.
"His soul has moved on; this body no longer belongs to him," she reflected, mentioning that the ashes would be sent to Miami through a diplomatic process.
Finding Strength in Motherhood
Aylín spoke passionately about motherhood, which she considers central to her identity. "I was born to be a mother; it's more important to me than being a woman," she asserted.
Despite the loss, she finds strength in her children, determined to set an example for them by continuing her professional commitments, like returning to Top Chef VIP.
"Staying home crying isn't setting a good example," she stated. "I must go on because that's what Mauro would have wanted."
Community Support and Clarifications
Mujica expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from friends, family, and fans, acknowledging the power of prayer and thanking everyone for their kindness during this difficult time.
She also clarified that a GoFundMe campaign following Mauro's death was initiated by his friends, not the family, to address any misunderstandings.
The loss of her son has redefined her perspective on life and fear, reinforcing her commitment to living courageously. "After losing part of myself, what is there to fear?" she concluded.
Understanding Mauro Menéndez's Tragic Passing
What were the circumstances surrounding Mauro Menéndez's death?
Mauro Menéndez, known as DJ MAAHEZ, died in Barbados on July 16 after severe health complications from pneumonia. The illness led to blood clots in his lungs and heart, and despite efforts to revive him, he passed away.
How did Aylín Mujica handle the news of her son's death?
Aylín Mujica learned of her son's death while in transit to Barbados. She received the news during a layover in Panama and resolved to remain composed until she could reach him, despite the overwhelming grief.
Why did Aylín Mujica decide to cremate her son?
The decision to cremate Mauro was based on logistical challenges and his wishes. Repatriating his body to Miami was a complicated process, and the family believed cremation aligned with Mauro's desires.