Venezuelan sport experiences hours of deep sorrow after death confirmed Willner Rivasone of the country’s most prominent athletes, who was found dead along with his wife, Mariangel Perezand his little son Theo among the rubble of a building that collapsed during the earthquake that occurred in Venezuela. The family went missing on June 24 and was found eleven days after the search began.
The publication reported this Volleyball Club Guaguas, current champion of the Spanish Super Leaguean institution that recently inducted the player for the 2026-2027 season. In a public statement, the organization expressed condolences to Rivas’ family and friends, deploring the tragedy that has struck both Venezuelan sports and the international sports community.
Athlete, 31 years old, He was one of the main figures of the Venezuelan national team. and spent most of his career at various international championships. His arrival in the Spanish national team presented a new professional challenge as he established himself as one of the leaders in his discipline.
After the double earthquake hit La Guaira, family, friends and sports leaders launched an intense search in hopes of finding him alive. However, The operation ended with the discovery of the bodies of Rivas and his family.ending nearly two weeks of uncertainty.
Willner Rivas’ death joins those of other Venezuelan sports figures killed in the disaster, a tragedy that continues to deeply impact the country as rescue and recovery efforts continue in the hardest-hit areas.
Club statement
After confirming the discovery of Rivas’ lifeless body, the Guaguas Volleyball Club made a publication on its social networks expressing its pain and expressing solidarity with the family.
“It has been confirmed that Vilner Rivas, his wife Mariángel Perez and their infant son Theo have been found dead after being buried eleven days ago in the earthquake that devastated Venezuela. From CV Guaguas we join in the pain of his family. Rest in peace”– the statement says.
