National Volleyball Team Captain Dies With Family in Earthquakes

Willner Rivas, the captain of Venezuela's national volleyball team, has been found dead along with his wife, Mariángel Pérez, and their son, Theo Rivas, following the devastating earthquakes that struck the country.

The athlete and his family had been missing since June 24, when earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude hit Venezuela. The Venezuelan Volleyball Federation (FVV) confirmed the tragic discovery in a statement, reporting that the Rivas Pérez family's remains were located at the Residencias Los Monjes in Playa Grande.

"The Venezuelan Volleyball Federation joins the grief that overwhelms the entire Venezuelan volleyball family for the passing of Willner Rivas, Mariangel Pérez and Theo Rivas, after the devastating earthquakes that shook the country on June 24," the FVV stated in an Instagram post.

“

The Venezuelan Volleyball Federation joins the grief that overwhelms the entire Venezuelan volleyball family for the passing of Willner Rivas, Mariangel Pérez and Theo Rivas, after the devastating earthquakes that shook the country on June 24.

In the days following the earthquakes, the FVV had been in constant communication with authorities regarding the search efforts in the affected area. Friends, neighbors, and teammates of Rivas indicated that he was at his home in the Residencias Los Monjes when the earthquakes occurred.

His legacy and dedication are remembered as leaving "an indelible mark on the hearts of sports lovers." The federation extended its deepest condolences to his family, friends, teammates, and loved ones during this period of immense loss.

“

his legacy and dedication leave an indelible mark on the hearts of sports lovers.