20-year-old dies on Cancun vacation while saving friend from being pulled out to sea, family says

SAGINAW TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WNEM/Gray News) – A 20-year-old man from Michigan died while saving his friend during a vacation in Cancun, Mexico.

Alejandro Gonzalez was swept into the ocean this past weekend after saving his friend from the water.

His mother Renee Gonzalez said her son would do anything for his friends, and he proved that with his selfless act.

“He loved his friends so much that the reason he’s not here is because he was trying to save one of them. She got pulled out, and he wanted to help make sure she made it back to shore, and she made it, and he didn’t,” Renee Gonzalez said.

Alejandro Gonzalez’s body was found late Wednesday night.

“We held out hope and prayed for a miracle. While the outcome wasn’t what we wanted, God did answer our prayers. Alejandro’s body has been found, Matt and I are going to be able to bring our baby home,” his mom wrote in a Facebook post.

The 20-year-old was a barista at Sips 476 in his Michigan hometown. He’s known not only as a hardworking team member but also as a dear friend, son and godson.

His godmother Missy Pocock said her godson was a hero in his final moments.

“He is an absolute hero. The Bible says that there’s no greater love than a man lay down his life for another, and that’s what he did,” Pocock said.

His mother agreed.

“That is who Alejandro was, he put others above himself always,” Renee Gonzalez said.

Sips 476 has begun collecting donations and hosting fundraisers to help the family.