New Jersey mother died saving daughter in Colombia earthquake, family says

BERGENFIELD, N.J. — A New Jersey family and church community are mourning the loss of Magnolia Garcia Lugo, whose relatives and church leaders say died while trying to save one of her daughters during a powerful earthquake that caused widespread destruction in Colombia.

According to family members and church leaders, the mother of three escaped as her home collapsed but ran back inside to save her daughter Natalia. A wall then fell on top of her.

“My dad found out immediately after the rumble. They called him and told him they were both under everything, and they couldn’t find Magnolia and that Natalia was still MIA when they called us,” said Ana Castro, media lead at Mercy Church of God.

Oscar Fernando Castro, assistant pastor at Mercy Church of God, said Garcia Lugo’s brother is a Church of God pastor in Colombia and helped search for her after the collapse.

“He called me and told me the house came down. He says, ‘My sister is there,’ so he was asking for help, and when they found her, Magnolia passed away,” he said.

Church leaders said the Garcia Lugo family has been involved with the congregation for decades. Castro said he has helped oversee the church for 30 years and described the family as longtime members.

“Magnolia has been a solid member of the church for 22 years along with her daughters… Natalia, who was also in the earthquake, and they’ve been a part of our team, actively, for more than 10 years. So, it’s a big loss, and we feel it pretty heavily in the church,” Ana Castro said.

Bergenfield Mayor Arvin Amatorio said borough officials are prepared to assist the family.

“I’ve heard, as of today, Magnolia is going to be buried in her town in Colombia,” Amatorio said.

Funeral services for Garcia Lugo were scheduled for Wednesday in Colombia.

Church and borough officials said they are considering ways to support the Garcia Lugo family as they cope with the loss.

Family members are expected to return home without their matriarch and begin rebuilding their lives following the tragedy.