Black Aerospace Professionals Development Director Haifa Baptiste dies in Costa Rica flash flood

Haifa Baptiste, a nonprofit leader and OBAP development director from Florida, died in Costa Rica after a sudden river surge, A.M. Costa Rica reports.

Baptiste, 35, was vacationing with family on Sept. 12 when a flash flood torrent rushed down the river and carried her away, according to Costa Rican authorities.

Five people in her group reached safety. However, Baptiste disappeared in the current and could not be rescued.

Rescue Teams Searched Through Mountainous Terrain

Costa Rica’s Red Cross received an emergency call around noon reporting that several tourists had been swept away. Rescue teams trained for mountainous terrain responded within minutes.

They searched the river through Saturday and Sunday. Baptiste’s body was found the next morning at 10 a.m. after extensive efforts by paramedics, local police and judicial investigators.

Initial reports suggested the incident occurred inside Rincón de la Vieja National Park. However, Costa Rica’s conservation agency later determined the surge happened outside official park boundaries.

According to A.M. Costa Rica, officials also noted that the National Emergency Commission had issued weather alerts warning of heavy rain and thunderstorms across the region that weekend.

Family Says Haifa Baptiste Devoted Her Life to Service

A GoFundMe launched by her family describes Baptiste as a woman who built her life around helping others.

“Haifa built her life around helping others,” the fundraiser states. It recounts how she secured an $80,000 grant for a Miami health organization early in her career, calling it the moment she discovered her purpose.

She later spent years in nonprofit development, helping organizations secure millions of dollars for community programs. Most recently, Baptiste served as Director of Development for the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP).

She also founded Sunshine Impact Solutions LLC, a consulting firm supporting small and midsize nonprofits.

Family Faces Costly Repatriation Process

Her relatives said they are “heartbroken” and now face the unexpected burden of bringing Baptiste home from another country.

Because she died abroad, the repatriation process involves significant expenses, including international preparation of remains, documentation, funeral services and burial costs.

The family set a $40,000 goal and thanked American Airlines for providing transportation for her remains.

“Every contribution matters,” the family wrote. “Please help us bring our Haifa home and give her the beautiful homegoing she deserves.”