Argentine Footballer Lucas Trejo Loses Wife and 2 Kids

The Tragedy

Argentine footballer Lucas Trejo, 38, has suffered a devastating personal tragedy after the bodies of his wife and two young children were found following a 74-hour search in the aftermath of the powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela earlier this week.

Trejo had been desperately searching for his wife, Yanina Maranella, and their children, Aaron and Ainhoa, after the apartment building where they were staying in Playa Grande collapsed during the twin earthquakes that hit Venezuela on Wednesday.

Where Trejo Was When It Happened

The tragedy struck while Trejo was in Caracas, preparing for a cup match with his team. Returning to La Guaira, the Argentine defender faced his worst nightmare — the building where his family lived was completely destroyed. Without hesitation, he joined the rescue efforts, digging through debris alongside volunteers and rescue teams, clinging to hope that his loved ones might still be alive.

The 74-Hour Search

For 72 hours, the search was frantic. The lack of cell service and basic utilities made things even worse, plunging Lucas Trejo into unimaginable uncertainty. From the very start, he took to social media, sharing photos of Yanina, Aaron, and Ainhoa, pleading for any information. His message — "Our building collapsed, I have no news about them; please pray for my family" — moved the entire sports community.

Reports from Argentina said Trejo's father and brother had flown to Venezuela to help search for his missing wife and children.

Confirmation of Deaths

A family friend and fellow footballer, Edson Tortolero, confirmed the news on social media, writing: "We inform all the people of Venezuela and Argentina that the bodies of Lucas Trejo's family members have been found lifeless. We thank everyone for the support and ask for the most sincere respect for his family at this time. WE PRAY FOR ETERNAL LIFE FOR THEM."

Trejo's Venezuelan club Club Sport Maritimo La Guaira released an official statement: "Club Sport Maritimo La Guaira deeply mourns the loss suffered by Lucas Trejo's family; we ask for respect for his relatives and teammates. After a 74-hour search, they were found deceased."

A Family Man

Trejo has not yet publicly commented on the tragic news but hours before they were found, shared a family photo of the four of them together to his Instagram Story.

In April 2026, his wife Yanina had posted a heartfelt birthday message for him, writing: "It's a blessing for us as a family to have you and to move forward together in our shared purpose! With you, everything is always easier and more beautiful."

About Lucas Trejo

Lucas Federico Trejo was born on 29 December 1987 and plays as a defender. He began his professional career in Spanish football, then signed for Greek side Atromitos in 2007. He played for Sportivo Belgrano in Argentina from 2012 to 2014, then spent years in Venezuela, playing for Monagas SC and later Club Sport Maritimo de La Guaira

The Wider Disaster

The tragedy comes as Venezuela continues to grapple with the aftermath of the rare twin earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, which caused widespread destruction across several regions. According to the United Nations migration agency, as many as 6.76 million people may have been affected. Nearly 1,500 deaths have been reported, while rescue teams continue searching for survivors and the missing.

Venezuela's 18-year-old rising star Yiimvert Berroterán is also among those reported dead following the earthquakes. Former Major League Baseball player Gorkys Hernández also confirmed the death of his wife, Deisy, who was staying at a luxury hotel with family members of other players from his La Guaira Delfines baseball team when the earthquakes struck — underscoring the scale of the tragedy that has struck Venezuela's sporting community.

The football world and beyond have expressed their condolences to Lucas Trejo. His loss, and that of so many others in Venezuela, is a reminder of the immense human cost behind the headlines of natural disasters.