Hello friends,

My name is Juan Manuel Arias, and I serve as the pastor at Immanuel United Church of Christ in Bartlett, Illinois. I am reaching out with a heavy heart to ask for your support for my family during a time of deep grief.

My 22-year-old cousin, Lorenzo Alejandro Sánchez Cortés, from Batabanó, Mayabeque, was tragically killed in Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico. According to the information shared with our family, Lorenzo was the victim of a violent attack and was later abandoned on the street. His body has remained in the morgue from January 4 until February 13 before the family was even notified and still remains there. The circumstances of the crime remain unclear.

Lorenzo’s parents, my aunt and uncle, Yamilet Cortés Martínez and Alexander Sánchez Torres, only learned of their son’s death weeks later. The shock and pain they are experiencing is unimaginable.

They are now facing another heartbreaking challenge: they do not have the financial resources to repatriate Lorenzo’s body to our home country, so that he can be laid to rest in his homeland and they can say their final goodbye. The cost of repatriation is estimated to be $6,000 which is far beyond what they can afford.

I am helping raise funds so that our beloved Lorenzo can return home and his parents can bury their son with dignity. Any contribution, no matter the amount, will help us move closer to bringing him back to our home country. If you are unable to donate, sharing this message and keeping our family in your prayers would mean a great deal.

Thank you for your compassion, solidarity, and prayers during this painful time.