Father Sánchez was standing near the altar and addressing worshippers when the heavy crucifix suddenly came loose.

It fell directly toward him and struck the back of his head.

The terrifying moment happened during a livestream of the service.

The video has since been removed.

However, those who saw the footage described a sudden scene of panic inside the church.

Father Sánchez was knocked to the ground behind the altar and disappeared from view.

Worshippers could be heard screaming.

Several people immediately rushed forward to help him.

Emergency services were called to the church.

Despite efforts to save him, Father Sánchez did not survive.

Reports have differed over whether he died immediately or shortly after being struck.

What makes the tragedy even more haunting is what the priest had been speaking about just moments earlier.

Father Sánchez had been delivering a sermon about death and the importance of how people spend their lives.

“One day, all of us here will also die,” he told the congregation.

He reflected on how time spent on unimportant things can eventually seem far less meaningful than time devoted to faith and loved ones.

He also spoke about giving quality time to God, family members, husbands, wives, children, and others close to us.

Moments later, the crucifix fell.

The unusual timing has drawn widespread attention to the tragedy.

However, Father Sánchez’s relatives are now focused on another question.

How did such a large and heavy object fall from the wall in the first place?

A preliminary assessment from Ecuador’s National Police reportedly classified the death as accidental.

The priest suffered a severe blow to the head.

Still, his family believes the circumstances deserve a closer examination.

According to El Comercio, relatives are calling for an investigation into the installation and condition of the crucifix.

They want authorities to determine whether negligence may have contributed to Father Sánchez’s death.

Patricio León, one of the priest’s relatives, spoke publicly about the family’s concerns.

“It may be God’s will, but an investigation should be carried out,” he said.

The family wants to know how the crucifix had been secured.

They also want to know whether there had been any warning that its fixtures were damaged or unstable.

Legal experts quoted in local reports have suggested that prosecutors could examine whether the circumstances might amount to culpable homicide.

That would depend on whether negligence contributed to the fatal accident.

Investigators could potentially examine the cross itself, its mounting system, maintenance records, and any previous inspections.

The livestream recording could also become important evidence.

Because the incident was captured on video, investigators may be able to review exactly what happened in the seconds before the crucifix fell.

For Father Sánchez’s relatives, the investigation is not about challenging their faith.

Instead, they want to know whether his death could have been prevented.

A religious service should have been a place of safety.

Instead, it became the scene of an unimaginable tragedy.

The final words Father Sánchez delivered to his congregation have now taken on a deeply emotional meaning.

He had been reminding worshippers that life is temporary.

He encouraged them to spend their time on the people and things that truly matter.

Moments later, his own life came to a sudden end.

His family is now grieving while waiting for answers.

They want to know whether the crucifix simply failed without warning or whether someone failed to make sure it was safely secured.

Until those questions are answered, the circumstances surrounding Father Sánchez’s death will remain under scrutiny.

For those who knew him, however, he will be remembered for much more than the extraordinary circumstances of his final moments.

He was a priest, a family member, and a man who had devoted his life to his faith and congregation.

Rest in peace, Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari.