Texas soldier heading to surprise family, died on flight home from Kuwait

Soldier flying home to surprise family in Texas dies en route
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Texas
By Nicole C. Brambila
Published: September 15, 2014

LUBBOCK, Texas (MCT) — Staff Sgt. Virginia Caballero died unexpectedly on a commercial flight home from Kuwait, family members said Monday.

Rodrigo Cantu, Caballero’s cousin, said she was flying home earlier than expected last week when during the flight she felt ill and went to the bathroom. A military companion traveling with Caballero went to the bathroom to check on her when she did not return and found her unconscious, Cantu said.

“They made an emergency landing, went to the hospital and got a faint pulse,” Cantu said.

Cantu said a lot of the details are sketchy, but Caballero’s family in Abernathy was officially notified about her death on Saturday.

Caballero was 41.

Cantu said it is thought that Caballero suffered from a blood clot, which was exacerbated with the altitude on the flight that would be her final trip home.

“None of the family knew she was on her way home,” said Martina Flores Herrera, a cousin. “She was trying to surprise us.”
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