Missing pilot Ashley Vargas was found in the sea off Paracas, Peru.
After 16 days of intense searching, the body of pilot Ashley Vargas was found near Mendieta Beach in Paracas, Perú.
The body of pilot Ashley Stacy Vargas Mendoza, who had been sought since her disappearance 16 days ago, was found dead in the sea off Pisco aboard the KT-1P aircraft. Initial reports indicate that the ensign's remains were found off Mendieta Beach in the Paracas Reserve, Ica.
The search was conducted in collaboration with the Carrasco Naval Base (BAP) and an underwater robot. During the search and rescue operations, a structure identified as the aircraft's cockpit was discovered. Vargas was found in this area, fastened to her seatbelt.
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First reports of the body found
The initial reports indicate that the plane was dragged by the tide from Zárate Island toward Mendieta Beach. It may have grounded there due to the vegetation growing there. It was also learned that the Peruvian Navy is carrying out meticulous work to avoid damaging the body of the pilot, who disappeared on May 20.
The victim's lawyer and family member, José Ocampo, confirmed that the young woman's body was found on Mendieta Beach and that arrangements are underway to transport her remains to Lima for the wake and subsequent burial.
Statement by the Peruvian Air Force during the search
During the days of the search for her body, the Peruvian Air Force expressed its condolences for the pilot's death. In a statement, the military institution pledged to continue the search to locate the aviator: "We deeply regret the occurrence of this accident and reiterate our commitment to continue the search to find our aviator. We offer our deepest gratitude to the determined support of all civil and state institutions, as well as to the media and all those who have voluntarily joined the search for our comrade in arms and member of the great FAP family," the Armed Forces stated.
The last discovery of the aircraft wreckage was near Mendieta Beach in Pisco, very close to the place where the young woman's body was found. "In coordination with BAP Zimic, coast guard patrol boats, and rescue service personnel, work continues with multibeam echo sounders, an Unmanned Underwater Robot (ROV), and autonomous underwater vehicles capable of performing bathymetric scans," they mentioned in a post on X.
