Florida investigators have identified two teenagers, Jeik Aniluz Lusi, 18, and Elvis Borques Castillo, 16, whose bodies were found in the landing gear of an airliner after a New York City-to-Fort Lauderdale flight back in January. It took extensive DNA testing to confirm the identities of the teens, who were both from the Dominican Republic. The bodies were discovered late at night on January 6 after JetBlue Flight 1801 landed at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The flight had originated from New York’s JFK Airport and had made a stop in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic before arriving in Florida.
The cause of death and how the teens managed to access the landing gear were not disclosed by the sheriff’s office. The tragic incident highlights the dangers of stowing away in aircraft’s landing gear, which is extremely risky due to the cold temperatures and lack of oxygen at high altitudes. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, but the identification of the teens will bring closure to their families and allow for further investigation into the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
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