In a tale that seems plucked from the pages of a gripping novel, José Salvador Alvarenga’s survival story is one for the ages, yet it comes with a shocking twist.
Alvarenga, a fisherman from Mexico, endured an unimaginable 438 days stranded at sea, only to face a $1 million lawsuit three years after his rescue.
This incredible journey began in November 2012 when Alvarenga embarked on what was supposed to be a routine two-day fishing trip with his fellow fisherman, 22-year-old Ezequiel Córdoba.
 The duo set out from the coast of Chiapas, Mexico, hoping for a fruitful catch, but nature had other plans.
As they ventured deeper into the Pacific Ocean, an unexpected storm loomed, and the men made the fateful decision to continue fishing despite the gathering tempest.
Little did they know, this decision would change their lives forever.
The storm lashed their small boat with unrelenting fury, persisting for an entire week.
In a desperate bid for survival, the men jettisoned much of their equipment to maintain control of the vessel, but the ocean had more challenges in store.
Their motor suddenly failed, leaving them adrift just 15 miles from the shore, a mere whisper away from safety.
Storm rages on.
But with powerful winds and unforgiving currents, the ocean cruelly swept them further away.
As hope waned, they managed to radio their boss, signaling their dire situation.
However, the radio soon died, cutting off their last lifeline to the world.
Stranded and helpless, the two fishermen were left to the mercy of the sea.
For ten grueling weeks, they clung to life, surviving on raw turtles, bird blood, and fish.
But the hardships took their toll, and Córdoba’s health deteriorated until he succumbed to the harsh conditions, leaving Alvarenga utterly alone.
 With his friend’s lifeless body beside him, Alvarenga faced the abyss of solitude, teetering on the brink of sanity.
Hallucinations plagued his mind, and he believed he was conversing with Córdoba.
Realizing the depth of his peril, Alvarenga made the heart-wrenching decision to release his friend’s body into the ocean.
Alone on the vast Pacific, Alvarenga fought against despair, determined to survive.
He tried desperately to signal passing ships, but his cries went unheard.
In January 2014, after over a year adrift, Alvarenga’s luck changed.
He stumbled upon Ebon Atoll, a tiny speck of land in the Marshall Islands, approximately 6,000 miles from where his journey began.
Exhausted but alive, Alvarenga swam to the shore and encountered a local couple who signaled for help.
 His miraculous rescue made headlines worldwide, capturing the imagination of millions.
 Following his return to civilization, Alvarenga’s harrowing ordeal was chronicled in the book “438 Days: An Extraordinary True Story of Survival at Sea” by journalist Jonathan Franklin.
The book revealed Alvarenga’s incredible resilience and the dark days of his survival.
But with the release of this story came unforeseen consequences.
Shortly after the book’s publication, Córdoba’s family filed a lawsuit against Alvarenga, accusing him of cannibalizing their loved one to survive.
The family demanded $1 million in damages, casting a shadow over Alvarenga’s miraculous tale.
Alvarenga vehemently denied these claims, asserting that he and Córdoba had made a pact never to resort to such measures.
 Alvarenga’s lawyer, Ricardo Cucalon, argued that the lawsuit was driven by the misconception that the book’s success had made Alvarenga wealthy.
“I believe that this demand is part of the pressure from this family to divide the proceeds of royalties,” Cucalon told Elsalvador.com.
“Many believe the book is making my client a rich man, but what he will earn is much less than people think.”
To clear his name, Alvarenga agreed to take a lie detector test, which he passed, reinforcing his version of events.
The legal battle added another layer to Alvarenga’s already extraordinary story, as he fought not just for survival but for his reputation.
The media frenzy surrounding the lawsuit brought intense scrutiny, with many questioning the motives behind the legal action.
 Experts weighed in, pointing out the psychological and physical toll such an ordeal would have taken on Alvarenga.
The book became a bestseller, offering readers a window into the unimaginable challenges of surviving at sea.
Alvarenga’s story, a testament to human endurance and resilience, captured the world’s attention.
His ability to withstand the harshest conditions and emerge alive inspired many, yet the lawsuit lingered, a constant reminder of the shadows that sometimes follow even the brightest stories.