A series of chilling text messages sent just hours before Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez and two of his friends were killed in a boat crash have emerged.
As friends and family struggle to come to terms with the tragic loss of three young men, more details of what happened to Fernandez, Emilio Macia and Eduardo Rivero have been revealed.
According to TMZ, Fernandez was spotted at Miami waterfront bar American Social Bar & Kitchen at around 2am on Sunday morning – just over an hour before the capsized boat was discovered.
Specifics about what happened inside the club – including whether alcohol was served to Jose or his friends – have not been confirmed, with a representative of the restaurant saying only that Fernandez was a ‘guest at American Social’.
According to WPLG 10 Miami, friends of Eduardo Rivero, said that Fernandez had wanted to go out on the water to ‘blow off some steam’.
They said Rivero sent a text messaged saying he was worried about going out on the boat, but he went to try and keep an eye on Fernandez and keep him close to shore.
But one of the texts has since taken on a chilling tone as Rivero wrote: “Trust me. It’s not my time.”
The text messages have been shared by Rivero’s friend Will Bernal on his Instagram page:
He wrote alongside them:
I feel sick to my stomach. Everyone is talking about Jose Fernandez but you died trying to be there for him and be a good friend. This doesn’t sit with me well.
I write this with the heaviest heart I’ve ever had. I just lost Tony and now I lost another best friend. I can’t get over this nightmare. I already miss you and our daily conversations.
You died being a great friend. You went to be with Jose and help him when he called you. I tried so hard to tell you not to go out on that boat. It didn’t feel right and we both knew it.
I’m choking on tears writing this, you don’t deserve this. We were just talking about life at the Marlins game and how precious it is. I can’t believe you are gone. The pain I have is unexplainable.
I feel guilty that I didn’t do a better job of trying to convince you not get on that boat. You told me just so I know in case something happens. You had a gut feeling and that is killing me. I love you bro, you’ll always be the little brother I never had. I’m in shock, I’m still waiting for you to call me or txt me.
We were so excited to celebrate your birthday in Vegas. You were loved by many and I’ll do my best to stay involved with them. Lauren and I will keep you in our prayers. Rest In Peace brother. Love you little bro Eddy Rivero @e_greeneyes
#rip #mybrotherfromanothermother
Our thoughts are with the families and friends of all three young men who lost their lives in this tragic incident.
