HUMBLE, Texas – The family of Marine Staff Sgt. Enrico Rojo is relieved to finally be able to give him a proper military funeral after a delay in getting their sons body back form California.
Miguel Rojo said it's been more than a week since his son's death and the family had not received any answers as to why his son's body had not been sent back to Houston until Tuesday.
Late Tuesday Afternoon Channel 2 spoke with with officials in San Bernardino County where Enrico Rojo's body was being held.
The County said during the last week it has been particularly busy for the coroner's office and Tuesday was the day the coroner could finalize the autopsy.
However, Enrico's father, Miguel, was told he would have to wait until after the New Year to even begin the autopsy process.
Through the day Tuesday, Channel 2 and other NBC affiliates made calls looking for answers.
Later in the afternoon Miguel Rojo found out his son had been released to a local mortuary in San Bernardino County, which means he can start arranging his son's body be returned to Houston.
He wants to make sure he has fully military honors on his way back home and through the funeral service.
Six days before Christmas, Enrico was on his way to the airport in Southern California with his fiancee.
He was set to fly back home to Houston for the holidays.
While on the freeway he noticed a woman suspected of being drunk had crashed.
He stopped to help her, but in the process another driver slammed into the Marine killing him.
Since Dec. 19, the Rojo family have been waiting for his body to be released from San Bernardino County so they could bring him back to Houston.
"I would like to bring closure because we only have one shot giving Enrico the honor he deserves and we we would like to do it properly and perfectly," Miguel Rojo said.
His son will finally be coming home, not at all how he planned, but now he and Enrico can rest easy.