Skarlent Rodríguez. A 23-year-old model and Miss Grand Orlando 2025, was found dead alongside her boyfriend, José Castro, after being trapped in the rubble of their collapsed apartment building in Catia La Mar, La Guaira state, following earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24. Their bodies were discovered Monday night, according to reports from Venezuelan media and statements shared by their relatives.

Tragic Discovery in Earthquake Rubble

According to local media and the family’s GoFundMe campaign, Rodríguez and Castro had been missing for days after the twin quakes caused widespread destruction; Search and rescue teams combed through the debris in the heavily affected coastal region, but hopes of finding the couple alive faded. When their bodies were finally located. The family confirmed they were found “side by side, together until the very end.”.

“Sadly both were found dead … side by side, together until the end,” their loved ones wrote on the GoFundMe page, which was established to help with funeral expenses and the financial burden caused by the tragedy. The campaign also thanked supporters for their efforts in spreading awareness and assisting with search operations in the days after the disaster.

Honoring a Beauty Queen’s Legacy

Following the confirmation of Rodríguez’s death, the Miss Grand Florida organization issued a statement expressing its condolences and paying tribute to the former titleholder. The organization described Rodríguez as a woman who embodied grace, kindness, strength, and positivity, saying she represented the values of the Miss Grand Florida family through her confidence, compassion, and ability to inspire others.

Thailand-based Miss Grand International, the pageant organizer founded by Thai TV host Nawat Itsaragrisil, also posted a message of condolence; “With profound sorrow, we mourn the tragic passing of Skarlent Rodríguez, Miss Grand Orlando 2025, following the devastating earthquake that struck Venezuela,” the message read. The organization extended its deepest condolences to her family and loved ones and expressed support for the people of Venezuela during the difficult time.

Venezuela’s History in Pageantry

Venezuela has a long and storied history in international beauty pageants. In 2011, Miss Venezuela Ivian Sarcos won the Miss World title in London. Sarcos, 22 at the time, was crowned in a ceremony held at Earls Court. Wearing a pink dress with diamante studs and a cascade of frills, she gasped and threw her hands to her face as she was declared the winner. “I felt the most gorgeous woman in the world,” she said in an interview with AFP.

Sarcos, who was raised in a nunnery after being orphaned at age eight, had a human resources degree and worked for a broadcasting company. Her win marked another milestone for Venezuela, which has long been a powerhouse in the international beauty pageant circuit.

Each year, the Miss Venezuela pageant is a major cultural event. In 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the pageant was broadcast as a pre-recorded show rather than a live event. This marked a departure from tradition, with no live audience, no grand stage, and no immediate announcement of the winner. Instead, the moment was pre-recorded with all 22 finalists to ensure the identity of the winner remained secret.

The Miss Venezuela pageant is more than just a beauty competition—it is a national obsession and a highlight of the country’s calendar. The event reflects the country’s deep-rooted cultural relationship with beauty and pageantry, even as it faces ongoing economic and social challenges.