The inspiring story of the Siamese of Ecuador who died waiting for a miracle in Zipaquirá, Colombia: their struggle crossed borders

José Luis and José Armando Cevallos Herrera, known as the Siamese of Ecuador, died on October 15, 2026, at the age of 27, while receiving medical attention in Colombia. After the death was confirmed, the family announced the collection of funds to transport the bodies to Ecuador and say goodbye to them in their hometown. Their death closed a story that circulated for almost three decades on television, documentaries, and social media in Latin America, the United States, and Europe, where the brothers from Milagro, Ecuador, exposed their daily lives and defended an idea they repeated to the cameras: "Wanting is power and disability is not an impediment to being happy." ADVERTISEMENT The young men arrived in Colombia in April with the purpose of accessing therapies that would improve their mobility, as walking was one of their greatest desires. In their last months of life, they continued to post videos about their daily lives: they traveled through Bogotá, Guatavita, and Zipaquirá, visited commune 13 in Medellín, and showed their encounters with Colombian entertainment figures. Thus, they maintained a bond with a digital community of more than 60,000 followers on Instagram. One of the most striking encounters was when José Armando and José Luis made a visit to the Antioquia neighborhood to meet the mother of the urban music singer Blessd and even took a photo with him when he entered the place where they were at that moment. ADVERTISEMENT International attention began from when they were children The brothers were born on September 8, 1999, and remained physically united since birth because they shared organs such as the liver and the intestines, a condition that made separation surgery unfeasible due to high medical risk. Initial diagnoses predicted a short life, but the two reached the age of 27. When they were teenagers, a Discovery Channel documentary showed the routine they led with their family in Milagro. The program recorded the then 14-year-old while they studied, did their homework, moved in an adapted wheelchair, and attended school. It also collected the testimony of their mother, Jacqueline Herrera, who recounted how the family received the diagnosis. ADVERTISEMENT The production contributed to their story crossing Ecuadorian borders. However, the documentary did not focus solely on their physical condition, as it showed their school interests, their personality differences, and the dynamic of two brothers who shared decisions and activities, but who were evaluated individually in class. This exposure led them years later to have television spaces with regional reach. They participated in Don Francisco's program and were interviewed by media from different countries such as Antena 3 from Spain. Their public presence was then consolidated on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, platforms where they answered questions about their lives and shared personal projects. Social media expanded their message of inclusion The international interest they aroused was not limited to the medical singularity of their case. José Luis and José Armando sought for their content to show autonomy, study, entertainment, friendships, and aspirations. They also ventured into music and expressed their intention to help other people with disabilities. ADVERTISEMENT The Ecuadorian media outlet Extra, which followed their story for years, recalled that as children dreamed of different professions: one wanted to be a police officer and the other a doctor. Over time, they explored urban music, recorded the song Ella es soltera with the artist York el Travieso, and developed their facet as content creators. Their message received new dissemination after learning of their death. People reported that the brothers were recognized for showing their daily lives and explaining how they faced their condition. On the other hand, the US portal E! News reproduced the statement from their social media team. ADVERTISEMENT Two heart emergencies marked their last hours Fernando Carrillo, a close friend of the brothers, recounted to the Spanish program Y ahora Sonsoles that José Luis started to feel unwell and was transferred to a hospital. According to that version, he suffered a cardiac arrest, was stabilized, and shortly after, José Armando suffered a heart attack. Both died after these complications. The sequence was recorded by the Brazilian media O Globo, which noted that the deterioration began the day before with vomiting and abdominal pain and in one leg. Until their health deteriorated, the brothers continued to document their stay in Colombia and their attempts to improve their mobility. Their posts maintained the same idea they had held since childhood before the cameras: a disability should not completely define a person's possibilities nor prevent them from building a public life, studying, working, creating, and aspiring to new projects. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT