Miss Grand Orlando 2025 and Boyfriend Among Victims of Venezuela Earthquake
The pageant community is mourning the passing of Miss Grand Orlando 2025, Skarlent Rodriguez, and her boyfriend, Jose Castro, who lost their lives in the powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24, 2026. Reports said the couple was among the victims of the back-to-back magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes that caused widespread damage in several parts of the country.
Skarlent, a Venezuelan model based in Orlando, Florida, was crowned Miss Grand Orlando 2025 and later competed in Miss Grand Florida. After the earthquakes, she and Jose were reported missing when the apartment building where they lived in Catia La Mar, La Guaira, collapsed.
After five days of search operations, rescue teams recovered the bodies of Skarlent and Jose on June 29. Reports confirmed that the couple was found side by side beneath the rubble, bringing a heartbreaking end to the search and providing long-awaited answers to their families.
Following the recovery, the families launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral and related expenses. The search and recovery efforts resulted in significant costs, and as of the latest update, the fundraiser had raised more than $14,000, or about ₱840,000.
Miss Grand Florida honored Skarlent by describing her as a kind, graceful, and inspiring woman who represented confidence, compassion, and respect. The organization said she touched many lives with her warm personality and would always remain a cherished member of the Miss Grand family.
Miss Grand International also expressed its sorrow over her passing and extended its deepest condolences to Skarlent’s family, friends, and everyone affected by the disaster. The organization also offered its support to the people of Venezuela as they continue to recover from the devastating earthquakes. Skarlent’s passing has deeply saddened the pageant community and many people who admired her journey.