Max Emerson, Andres Camilo Split After Losing Home in LA Fires

Influencer Max Emerson and fiance Andres Camilo lost their home in the wildfires in Los Angeles – and the tragedy led to them calling it quits on their nearly decade-long relationship.

“After nine years together we have decided to separate,” Emerson and Camilo wrote via caption Instagram statement on Monday, January 13, alongside a series of photos throughout their relationship. “The fire that took our home accelerated this decision by giving us clarity and simplicity. We were already starting to explore different avenues – this tragedy is a catalyst for a clean break.”

The duo explained that they realized it was “time to start” their lives again “as individuals,” but noted that they do not regret the years they have spent together.

“Our time together was not wasted,” they continued. “We still love each other fully, deeply, and unconditionally. That love never ends; it evolves. We part ways with respect and gratitude, bringing forward all that we have learned.”

Emerson and Camilo revealed earlier this week that their home was one of the homes lost during the wildfires, which began raging through Los Angeles on January 7 when strong winds caused brush fires to spread quickly across the Pacific Palisades and surrounding neighborhoods. The fires have destroyed more than 12,000 structuresand placed over 150,000 people under mandatory evacuation orders.

At that time, Emerson and Camilo took to Instagram to reveal that almost their “whole neighborhood” had “burned to the ground,” but clarified that they were safely in Utah for work.

“We are very grateful to be somewhere that feels safe right now,” Emerson said in the January 10 video. Camilo added, “We feel a great loss for everything in our home, for everything that our neighbors are going through it. Everyone who has been displaced.”

Although Emerson said they were both “grieving for our planet right now,” Camilo noted that they were also grieving the loss of all their personal items, which included things like “art,” “photos” and “property valuable others.”

“We are filled with gratitude and a deep sense of loss,” Emerson captioned the post, promising to share more in the coming days as “the amount of things to consider right now is overwhelming.”

Emerson returned to Instagram on January 11 to share a video of the couple’s home up in flames along with a carousel of photos from happier times. He revealed that he and Camilo had “fully renovated” the house “with the hope of starting our family” there.

“Words cannot fully convey the devastation we feel for all that was lost in less than twenty-four hours,” the post captioned. “Although some of our dreams have been put on hold, we remain optimistic and excited for the future… and it’s all because of the tsunami of love and support we receive from our family, friends and a community. It’s all very overwhelming, so please bear with us if we’re not super communicative over the next few weeks. Thank you for always showing us.”

Emerson ended the post with a shout out to her neighbor, who “did everything he could to save our home.”