Carla Mendoza, the ex fiancée of late Miami Marlins star José Fernández, has opened up about her heartbreak. In an emotional Instagram post, the nursing student praised the baseball icon as a "passionate and raw human being".

"My deepest love goes out to those who saw Jose as more than an athlete, but as a passionate, raw human being. The heart break is unbearable. There was so much more to him than anyone could even begin to understand," the 24-year-old wrote on the image-sharing website.

Of her three-year-old relationship with Fernández she wrote: "I'm fortunate enough to have loved and be loved by Jose, and his family, for over 3 crazy beautiful years. Thank you so much to everyone who's reached out to me, it truly means a lot. Nothing will make this time easy for anyone and if you do one thing today, let it be that you tell those close to you how much you love them. Not one day will pass by that I don't think about him or love him."

The late Miami Marlins player shared a picture of his pregnant girlfriend just days before his death. On 25 September, he was killed in a boat crash off the coast of Florida. Soon after his death, fans thought that Mendoza was the pregnant girl in the picture.

However, the nursing student cleared the air by expressing her feelings for Maria Arias, the woman with the baby bump and José's new girlfriend, whom he started dating after he broke his engagement with Mendoza in April this year.

"Jose never went one moment without knowing how much support and love he had from those close to him. My heart goes out to Maria, as she is expecting his child. Please honor Jose's memory by respecting his daughter and her mother as I'm sure this is all too painful for her as well," she shared.

I'm so glad you came into my life. I'm ready for where this journey is gonna take us together. #familyfirst

A photo posted by Jose Fernandez (@jofez16) on