Photo provided by a GoFundMe page said to show Santiago Tapia Bello with his wife, Mileidi Vázquez Anastasio, and their daughter.
By DIANTÉ MARIGNY
editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com
A fundraiser is gaining traction online following the reported death of a 27-year-old man on South Padre Island, though official details have not yet been confirmed by authorities.
According to a GoFundMe page created to support the family, Santiago Tapia Bello died March 25 in what organizers describe as a tragic accident. The page states that Tapia Bello was working near a local Whataburger when he allegedly came into contact with an electrical wire while cutting palm trees.
As of this week, the fundraiser has raised more than $16,000.
The GoFundMe was organized to assist his wife, Mileidi Vázquez Anastasio, who is seeking financial help to transport his body back to Mexico so he can be laid to rest in his hometown. Additional funds are intended to help support the family, including their young daughter, in the months ahead.
The information shared on the fundraising page has not been independently verified, and officials have not released confirmed details regarding the incident.
Organizers describe Tapia Bello as a hardworking husband and father and say the outpouring of community support has been overwhelming.
“Our hope is to raise enough donations to help Santiago’s wife stay afloat for a couple of months while she figures out her next steps,” the page states.
Community members continue to share the fundraiser online, encouraging donations and support for the family during what they describe as a difficult and uncertain time.