Couple Dies Days Apart After Condo Explosion in Mexico: ‘A Week of Fighting for Their Lives’

Mar. 15, 2025

Maricela Caballero and Gabriel Nunez.Photo:GofundmeA Texas couple died following an explosion at their newly-purchased condominium in Mexico.Marcela Caballero and husband Gabriel Nunezwere seriously injuredon Nov. 18 following the explosion in Tulum, according toABC affiliate WFAAand the family’s GoFundMe page.Both Nunez and Caballero were hospitalized in critical condition with second and third-degree burns, Lopez wrote in the description of the fundraiser, which was set up to pay for medical and funeral costs.“My dad had 98% of his body [burned]," the couple’s daughter, Brenda Saldana, told WFAA. “My mom, 85% of her body.“Their daughter told WFAA that they both died “after a week of fighting for their lives.“Nunez died one day afterThanksgiving, while Caballero died on Wednesday, the outlet reported.They leave behind two adult children, a 19-year-old son and 22-year-old daughter, according toFOX affiliate KDFW.“We were both in shock when we got the phone call,” Saldana told the outlet. “We couldn’t believe it. We were like is this even real? At this point, it still feels like I’m in a dream.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.A gas leak may have caused the deadly explosion, according toRiviera Maya News.During a Zoom meeting after the explosion, residents allegedly said that they smelled the odor or gas the day before the explosion, WFAA reported.The victims’ family has retained an attorney, and a lawsuit has been filed, per the outlets. Clarabeth Hernandez, with the Hernandez Law Firm, said explosions like this are not uncommon in high tourist areas in Mexico.The Hernandez Law Firm did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.More than $18,000 has been raised for the family via GoFundMe as of Monday morning.Nunez will be buried in Arizona, while his wife will be buried in Mexico, KDFW reported. Caballero will be buried “with her father,” according to the GoFundMe.

Maricela Caballero and Gabriel Nunez.Photo:Gofundme

Gofundme

A Texas couple died following an explosion at their newly-purchased condominium in Mexico.Marcela Caballero and husband Gabriel Nunezwere seriously injuredon Nov. 18 following the explosion in Tulum, according toABC affiliate WFAAand the family’s GoFundMe page.Both Nunez and Caballero were hospitalized in critical condition with second and third-degree burns, Lopez wrote in the description of the fundraiser, which was set up to pay for medical and funeral costs.“My dad had 98% of his body [burned],” the couple’s daughter, Brenda Saldana, told WFAA. “My mom, 85% of her body.“Their daughter told WFAA that they both died “after a week of fighting for their lives.“Nunez died one day afterThanksgiving, while Caballero died on Wednesday, the outlet reported.They leave behind two adult children, a 19-year-old son and 22-year-old daughter, according toFOX affiliate KDFW.“We were both in shock when we got the phone call,” Saldana told the outlet. “We couldn’t believe it. We were like is this even real? At this point, it still feels like I’m in a dream.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.A gas leak may have caused the deadly explosion, according toRiviera Maya News.During a Zoom meeting after the explosion, residents allegedly said that they smelled the odor or gas the day before the explosion, WFAA reported.The victims’ family has retained an attorney, and a lawsuit has been filed, per the outlets. Clarabeth Hernandez, with the Hernandez Law Firm, said explosions like this are not uncommon in high tourist areas in Mexico.The Hernandez Law Firm did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.More than $18,000 has been raised for the family via GoFundMe as of Monday morning.Nunez will be buried in Arizona, while his wife will be buried in Mexico, KDFW reported. Caballero will be buried “with her father,” according to the GoFundMe.

A Texas couple died following an explosion at their newly-purchased condominium in Mexico.

Marcela Caballero and husband Gabriel Nunezwere seriously injuredon Nov. 18 following the explosion in Tulum, according toABC affiliate WFAAand the family’s GoFundMe page.

Both Nunez and Caballero were hospitalized in critical condition with second and third-degree burns, Lopez wrote in the description of the fundraiser, which was set up to pay for medical and funeral costs.

“My dad had 98% of his body [burned],” the couple’s daughter, Brenda Saldana, told WFAA. “My mom, 85% of her body.”

Their daughter told WFAA that they both died “after a week of fighting for their lives.”

Nunez died one day afterThanksgiving, while Caballero died on Wednesday, the outlet reported.

They leave behind two adult children, a 19-year-old son and 22-year-old daughter, according toFOX affiliate KDFW.

“We were both in shock when we got the phone call,” Saldana told the outlet. “We couldn’t believe it. We were like is this even real? At this point, it still feels like I’m in a dream.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

A gas leak may have caused the deadly explosion, according toRiviera Maya News.

During a Zoom meeting after the explosion, residents allegedly said that they smelled the odor or gas the day before the explosion, WFAA reported.

The victims’ family has retained an attorney, and a lawsuit has been filed, per the outlets. Clarabeth Hernandez, with the Hernandez Law Firm, said explosions like this are not uncommon in high tourist areas in Mexico.

The Hernandez Law Firm did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

More than $18,000 has been raised for the family via GoFundMe as of Monday morning.

Nunez will be buried in Arizona, while his wife will be buried in Mexico, KDFW reported. Caballero will be buried “with her father,” according to the GoFundMe.

source: people.com