Physique of American whose spouse self- deported to Venezuela present in rubble
The physique of an American man and his spouse — who lately “self deported” from the US throughout an unresolved immigration case — have been recovered from the rubble of a collapsed residence constructing in Venezuela almost a month after twin earthquakes rocked the South American nation.
Andrew Widme, a North Dakota native who grew up in Minnesota, moved to Venezuela Could 4 after his spouse, Yelitza Widme, voluntarily left the US on April 19 to return to her native nation whereas her immigration case remained unresolved, his mom, Linda Morrison, advised The Put up.
A United Cajun Navy search and rescue group recovered Andrew’s physique on July 19.
“From the second Andrew was discovered, he was by no means left alone. He was handled with the dignity, care, and respect each individual deserves,” the volunteer catastrophe aid group stated in a press release.
“On the subject hospital, his mom was in a position to determine him by means of a tattoo, bringing heartbreaking affirmation, but additionally the knowledge that her son would lastly be coming dwelling.”
Yelitza’s physique was discovered by relations on Tuesday, in line with Caracol Radio correspondent Gabriela González.
Andrew, 42, the daddy of two teenage sons from a earlier marriage, met Yelitza, 31, solely months earlier than proposing. They married in February 2025.
“He was simply loopy about her. They weren’t collectively for very lengthy earlier than they bought married,” Morrison stated. “She appeared to essentially love him.”
When Andrew determined to maneuver Venezuela, “it was actually arduous, particularly along with his boys right here,” Morrison stated. “He had a brand new job in Florida that he needed to give up to go down there.”
In keeping with her mom, Rosa Colmenares, Yelitza arrived within the US almost three years in the past together with her two youngsters from a earlier relationship and utilized for asylum.
Morrison stated Yelitza was finally granted a piece allow however was later detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement this yr after being arrested in an unrelated legal case. Morrison stated Yelitza was by no means convicted.
“As soon as her legal case bought to a sure level — she was by no means convicted or something — she was taken to Louisiana from Miami,” Morrison stated.
Morrison stated Yelitza was advised that voluntarily leaving the US may enhance her possibilities of legally returning sooner or later in contrast with receiving a proper deportation order.
“So she self-deported,” Morrison stated.
Colmenares advised González that the newlyweds initially rented a house in Caracas earlier than shifting to the beachside Coral Mar residential advanced in La Guaira, the place they hoped to construct a brand new life collectively.
“That they had dreamed of establishing a small meals enterprise and shifting ahead with their lives,” she stated.
Then tragedy struck the night of June 24.
“They have been supposed at hand over the residence on Thursday — the day (after) the tragedy,” Colmenares stated. “As an alternative, they ended up trapped there.”
Morrison is now awaiting to obtain her son’s stays, which have been cremated.
“It was arduous information however comforting to know that he’ll come dwelling,” she stated.
