The woman whose voice could be heard for hours under the rubble of the Surfside condominium collapse last June has been identified. Theresa Velasquez.
Velasquez, a 36-year-old Live Nation music executive, used to meet his parents when the 304 apartment collapsed. They were among 98 people killed in the Champlain Tours South building collapse.
The Miami-Dead Fire Rescue Department released an 11-page memo last night that identifies the voice they heard just hours after the Velasquez-like collapse. Deputy Fire Chief Rayed Jadallah The report, in response to a December USA Today story, named the voice in the rubble after a 14-year-old man who died.
“The report documents the steps taken and collects testimonials and physical evidence that identifies Theresa Velasquez’s female voice at the bottom of the rubble,” Jadallah wrote.
Gannett spokeswoman Lark-Mary Anton, owner of USA Today, said in a statement that they were reviewing the memo. “The information and source of our story is clear,” he added. “We have no additional comments at this time.”
The memo details further rescue efforts at the scene. It is learned that the rescue workers never had a full conversation with the woman trapped under the rubble. It is unknown at this time what he will do after leaving the post. Miami-Dead Fire Rescue Spokesman Erica Benitez Said communication was brief.
Jadallah writes that only after all operations were stopped was it possible for the crew members to listen to the woman. “Even the faintest whisper from the rescue crew or the woman’s ability to hear in the still water is denied,” the memo said.
“They were there until they heard no more voices … I think it was one of the most annoying things for them,” Benitez said. “Even though the situation is so precarious, they have never given up on this person.”
Velasquez’s remains were identified July 17. Jadallah writes that he told his brother, David Velasquez, His search in December. David Velasquez reported CBS Miami He believes that the information in the report.
“There’s no way to know 100 percent, but that seems like a logical conclusion,” he said.