VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Three men died in a tragic series of events after being swept away while swimming off the Oceanfront on the evening of Sept. 21. The victims, two brothers and their friend, had hoped to achieve the American dream, but are now being sent back to their homeland in Guatemala.
Guilmer Olcot Ajbal, along with his brothers Santos and Sergio, and their friend Sergio Xinico, were standing in knee-deep water at the Oceanfront, according to Guilmer’s GoFundMe page, when the three men, Santos, Sergio and Sergio Xinico suddenly began drifting away. According to Guilmer, who was there, the men found themselves unable to escape the waters.
Rescue efforts recovered Sergio Ajbal’s body Sept. 23 and Sergio Xinico’s the following day. Santos Ajbal, who had been placed on a ventilator, died Sept. 25 after being taken off life support.
The men moved to the United States in pursuit of better opportunities, but their hopes were cut short by the deadly incident. The family is now left mourning the loss of their loved ones while appealing for help to cover the costs of repatriation.
Selvin Xinico, Sergio Xinico’s brother, said having to relay the news to his parents in Guatemala was incredibly difficult. Xinico said he is trying his hardest, despite the language barrier, to send his brother back home.
“He was kind, funny, smart and so many more good things,” wrote Xinico’s aunt, Kiera Smith. “One of his dreams was to travel the United States and see new things. He was living his dream until tragedy struck.”
The Olcot Ajbal family has set up a GoFundMe campaign to raise $25,000 to send the two brothers bodies back to Guatemala for burial. As of Oct. 1, the campaign has raised nearly $7,000.
A separate GofundMe for Sergio Xinico $1,600 of their $12,000 goal.
Smith set up a GoFundMe for Sergio Xinico, adding that, “any funds raised will go to sending Sergio home, and if we surpass the goal, the rest will go towards his funeral and to his parents.”
Guilmer Olcot Ajbal, brother to the two recovered swimmers — Santos and Sergio, also set up a GoFundMe.