FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Investigators are continuing their efforts to identify the bodies of two males discovered in the wheel well of a JetBlue plane that landed in Fort Lauderdale last week. Meanwhile, the family members of teenagers who went missing in the Dominican Republic have expressed concerns that the teens may be connected to the tragedy.
Through a translator, Nelson René shared with US media NBC that his 17-year-old relative, Jey Anilu, has been missing from his home since January 3, and they fear he could be one of the individuals involved in the incident.
Nelson René explained that some members of the community suspect that Anilu, along with two other teenagers, may have planned to escape the country. “Somebody here — they will go to travel… maybe in a plane or boat, and they try to escape from the Dominican Republic,” René said. A Dominican media outlet reported that the relatives of one of the other teenagers have been in contact with investigators and are awaiting DNA results. The whereabouts of the third teenager remain unknown.
Investigators revealed that the tragic discovery was made last week during a routine post-flight inspection. The plane, which arrived in Fort Lauderdale that night from New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport, had previously traveled to several locations, including the Dominican Republic, according to flight trackers.
Newly released 911 calls have highlighted the urgency of the situation. “There’s a plane that came from JFK. Tail number 644… but could you please send medical assistance and possibly a police officer?” the caller requested. While the Broward Sheriff’s Office has stated that it will not link the missing teenagers to the case at this time, a spokesperson confirmed that both the county medical examiner’s office and local law enforcement are working diligently to identify the bodies.
