Former Major League Baseball outfielder Gorkys Hernandez is mourning the loss of his wife after the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela earlier this week.
Hernandez confirmed on social media that his wife, Deisy Hernandez, 36, was among those killed when two powerful earthquakes rocked the country on Wednesday.
Her death comes as Venezuela continues to grapple with one of its deadliest natural disasters in recent history.
Heartfelt Tribute Honors His Wife
In an emotional message shared online, Hernandez described his wife as the love of his life and thanked her for the strength and encouragement she had given him throughout their years together.
He called Deisy his “queen” and “warrior,” saying she had always helped him through difficult moments and would continue to remain in his heart.
Hernandez also pledged to continue caring for their family while honoring what he described as the mission they had shared together.
His tribute ended with a farewell message expressing his enduring love and wishing her peace.
Wife Was Staying at Hotel During Earthquake
According to reports from Venezuela, Deisy Hernandez was staying at a luxury hotel alongside family members of other players connected to Hernandez’s current club, the La Guaira Delfines, when the disaster struck.
After the back-to-back earthquakes, measuring magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 just seconds apart, Hernandez and several teammates reportedly rushed to the hotel in hopes of finding their loved ones.
Despite rescue efforts, Deisy could not be saved.
Hernandez Built Career in Major League Baseball
The 38-year-old outfielder spent six seasons in Major League Baseball after making his debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2012.
During his professional career, he also played for the San Francisco Giants and the Boston Red Sox before returning to Venezuela, where he currently competes for the La Guaira Delfines.
News of his family’s loss has prompted an outpouring of sympathy from baseball fans and members of the sporting community.
Earthquake Death Toll Continues to Rise
The tragedy involving Hernandez’s family comes as emergency officials continue assessing the full scale of the disaster.
Authorities say at least 1,430 people have died, while the number of missing persons continues to grow. Reports indicate that nearly 68,900 people have been listed as missing by families searching for relatives, although many of those reports have yet to be officially verified.
Search-and-rescue operations remain underway as emergency crews continue working through collapsed buildings across affected regions.
International Rescue Efforts Expand
The Venezuelan government says international assistance has continued to arrive in the country to support recovery efforts.
Officials reported that 17 flights carrying more than 1,600 rescue personnel had landed by Saturday, bringing additional emergency workers and specialized equipment to assist local authorities.
Disaster response experts note that the first several days following a major earthquake are often the most critical for locating survivors trapped beneath collapsed structures, particularly if they have access to air, food, or water.
As rescue teams continue their work, Hernandez’s personal loss has become one of many heartbreaking stories emerging from a catastrophe that has affected thousands of families across Venezuela.
