
Colombian Ex-Military Pilot Found Dead on Moroccan Coast After Disappearance
According to Spanish media, initial evidence suggests Rivera died in an aircraft accident. His body was found partially in and partially out of the water on a Moroccan beach. Forensic studies are currently underway to determine the exact cause of death.
Rivera had traveled to Spain for work purposes. His brother, Jairo Hernán Rivera Sánchez, explained that Juan Pablo worked for a specialized aircraft restoration company based in Honduras.
'He worked on helicopters. He died doing what he loved. He was part of a company in Honduras, the only one that could restore aircraft worldwide. That's why he traveled to Spain, for a test,' Jairo told Colombian newspaper La Nación.
Read also: Moroccan Drug Lord with Interpol Red Notice Arrested at Colombian Airport
The discovery has shocked the Huila region of Colombia, particularly the municipality of Pitalito where Rivera was born. Despite living in Honduras for years due to his work, his family remained in Pitalito, where they hope to hold his funeral.
One hypothesis being investigated is that Rivera may have jumped from the aircraft and swam injured to shore, where he ultimately died. 'The body was at the edge of the sea, partly outside and partly inside. We still don't know if he managed to get out injured to that point,' his brother explained.
The search for Rivera began when he stopped communicating with his family on June 24. The organization SOS Desaparecidos issued an official alert on July 3 after several days without contact. The alert indicated he might have initially traveled to Granada, though this was not confirmed.
Neither the aircraft nor any of Rivera's colleagues have been located yet. The Colombian Embassy in Spain had been cooperating with authorities in Algeciras in the search efforts.
Rivera is remembered as 'an excellent military man, very loved by those who knew him. He was a father of two children and a dedicated husband. Always committed to his work,' according to his brother. His family is now working on repatriation procedures to bring his body back to Colombia for a proper farewell in his hometown. Tags: Colombian citizenMoroccan coast
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