Sister of Missing Copper Bank Fisherman Pleas for His Safe Return

Late this evening, News Five spoke by phone with Melissa Garcia whose brother, twenty-six-year-old Aldo Antonio Hernandez is also missing at sea.  According to Garcia, she spoke with her brother last Wednesday before he set out on the fishing trip.

On the Phone: Melissa Garcia, Sister of Missing Fisherman

“The only thing I know is that he has disappeared.  The last day he called me that he was going out, it was Wednesday, like 11:28 a.m., that he was going out.  But we really don’t know anything right now, just to say that he is missing, but we don’t really know if it’s true or what.”

Isani Cayetano

“Did he tell you who he was going out to sea with?”

On the Phone: Melissa Garcia

“Yes, with Mr. Chabelo Copo.”

Isani Cayetano

“How often do these men go out to sea, can you share with us some information about their livelihoods?”

On the Phone: Melissa Garcia

“About eight days is the most they go out.  It was Wednesday, last week Wednesday.”

Isani Cayetano

“Can you share with us who else may have been on that vessel with him?  Is he a fisherman that often goes to sea?”

On the Phone: Melissa Garcia

“Yes, he often goes to sea.”

Isani Cayetano

“What are residents of Copper Bank Village going through at this point in time?  I know there are several fishermen lost at sea and you guys are a small community in the Corozal District.  Have you been speaking with other family members who have lost someone at sea at this point?”

On the Phone: Melissa Garcia

“No, I really right now have not talked with nobody yet, but some of them are in Belize City.”

Isani Cayetano

“Are you fearing the worst for your brother, considering that there has been serious rains at sea over the past several days? Is this the first time something like this has happened to your brother or has there been an instance before where he was been out at sea without making contact for a while?”

On the Phone: Melissa Garcia

“This is the first time.”

Isani Cayetano

“Describe your brother to us, tell us a bit more about your brother.”

On the Phone: Melissa Garcia

“He is twenty-six-years-old and he has two daughters and his wife.  We are three brothers, two girls and one boy, our parents and we are missing him so much.”