Nate Berkus Safe But Fernando Bengoechea Missing

Chicago’s NBC5 reported last night that, Nate Berkus’ family and friends had lost contact with him, but this morning’s New York Post quotes an Oprah spokeswoman as saying that Nate was still safe and on his way to the U.S. embassy in Sri Lanka.

The New York Times has however reported sad news that Fernando Bengoechea (Nate’s “partner”) is among the eight (latest figure: 12) Americans dead. (via Zionide)
This notice was found on CNN:
“We are searching for my brother, Fernando Bengoechea. We know that he was swept by the waves with his friend, Nate Berkus, and then separated. Nate has been rescued but Fernando is still missing. They were in Sri Lanka at the Sturdust Beach Hotel in Arugam Bay. He is 39 years old, white, 5’8″, brown hair, green eyes and has braces in his teeth. [email protected]”
Fernando Bengoechea is a NYC based photographer whose star is quickly rising. He was born in Buenos Aires and grew up mostly in Brazil. Fluent in five languages and well-traveled, he arrived in New York to study cinematography and photography. Within only a few years he had an exciting career path laid out in front of him. His works include those of Donna Karan, and Naomi Cambell.
He has an official website.
Nate Berkus, an interior designer who quickly became TV’s hottest decorator after being “touched by Oprah’s stardom” heads his own Chicago design firm, Nate Berkus Associates.