We will never forget those who died in the Pulse massacre.
Crosby, according to his Facebook page, was originally from Statesville, North Carolina, and studied at Strayer University South in Charlotte. He was working as a sales manager for Smart Circle. A favored quote of his was by Lou Holtz: "Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it."
He loved to dance, his cousin Ana Figueroa told the Orlando Sentinel, adding that he was "very talented." Born in Puerto Rico, Dilsa studied communications at Universidad Del Sagrado Corazon, but moved to Orlando before graduating to pursue his passion for dance.
His mother, Olga Dilsa of Puerto Rico, flew to Orlando as soon as she learned he had been killed, while his father, Luis Laureano, was planning to arrive Monday, his cousin told the paper.
"I want people to remember Anthony as someone who was very happy and very kind," Figueroa told the paper. "This is just devastating for our family and his friends."
"He had a lot of close friends, and they are devastated," she said. "May he rest in peace, my lovely Anthony."
Eddie Justice sent his mother harrowing text messages in the moments before he was executed. "Mommy I love you," read the first message. "In club they shooting." Mina Justice tried to call her son, but he did not answer, according to the Associated Press. Then he texted that he was trapped in the bathroom, and at 2:08 a.m. he texted: "I'm gonna die." Justice told the wire service that she knew her son was gay and that he worked as an accountant. She called police when he texted her, but it was too late.
Edward Sotomayor Jr. was a resident of Sarasota, Fla., and a world traveler who worked at the gay travel agency AlAndChuck.travel. He had recently coordinated the first-ever gay cruise to Cuba, which took place in April, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Friends were grief-stricken to learn he had been killed. Al Ferguson, who identified himself as the travel agency's owner on Facebook, called this "one of the saddest days of my life" and wrote that he was "empty" upon hearing the list of victims read aloud at Orlando Regional Medical Center.
"What I will say, over and over again, was he was a person who said, 'We cannot be afraid,'" Ferguson told the Sentinel. "I know his friends are going to be the exact same way … we are not going to be afraid."
Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera was originally from Puerto Rico and only came to the nightclub for a special celebration, his former roommate Abismel Colon Gomez told the Orlando Sentinel. "I am really in shock that he was in the club, because he was not usually a club-scene person," Colon Gomez told the paper. "The only reason he went was because there was a housewarming party for our friend. And Eric was like his mentor."
Colon Gomez described Ortiz-Rivera as "always willing to help everybody" and "generous." He worked in retail and had a bachelor's degree in communications from Universidad Central de Bayamon, Colon Gomez told the paper.
"My heart breaks," Colon Gomez said. "We have seven friends who were there, and already we know three are dead." Ortiz-Rivera had many friends and family members in the Orlando area, his former roommate said.
Franky worked as a visual merchandiser at Forever 21, according to his Facebook page and was originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, like many other victims of the Pulse nightclub shootings. On Facebook, his sister Sheila D De Jesus wrote that she was traveling from Puerto Rico to Orlando to face reality. Lamenting her brother's death, she wrote:
Perez died with his longtime partner, Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, whom he wooed while working at Perfumania, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
Perez lived in Kissimmee and liked going out, his sister-in-law Katia Mendez told the paper, adding that he was also a doting uncle who spoiled her three kids.
"He was like a little kid when he was with them," she told the paper.
"He laughed with the people and would make jokes," said Claudia Agudelo, who worked with Perez. "He was always happy."
Perez was from Puerto Rico but moved to Florida when he was a teen, his father, Angel Mendez, told the paper. "He was a real dynamic kid," said Mendez.
Before he was confirmed dead, Perez's father frantically searched for him, showing a cell phone photo of him to the media.
Juan Ramon Guerrero was at Pulse with his boyfriend, Christopher “Drew” Leinonen, who was also killed. The pair loved to pose together and on Facebook, and Leinonen posted a picture of himself and Guerrero for #ManCrushMonday. Guerrero was a telemarketer who came out to his family recently, his cousin Robert Guerrero, 19, told the Associated Press. "They were very accepting," said Guerrero, adding, "As long as he was happy, they were OK with it." At the time of his death, he was attending the University of Central Florida and in a relationship, his cousin told the wire service. “He was never the type to go out to parties, would rather stay home and care for his niece and nephew," his cousin told the wire service.
Kim Morris went by the nickname "KJ" and was originally from Torrington, Conn., according to her Facebook profile. She had just moved to Orlando and was working as a bouncer at Pulse the night she was murdered, according to the Orlando Sentinel. Her friend Roxy Heart put up a memorial of lighted candles that she said she would burn all night. "She was so excited to start that job! He took my friend['s] life! She's gone. He stole her smile. He stole her life. He stole her laughter. He stole her charisma. He stole my friends soul. I'm sad," Heart wrote on Facebook.
Morris played college basketball at Post University in Connecticut, according to the Sentinel. Her ex-girlfriend Starr Shelton told the paper, "She was so excited. She'd just started working there and told me how she was thrilled to get more involved in the LGBT community there." She loved mixed martial arts and was known to perform in drag as "Daddy K" in her former home of Massachusetts, according to AfterEllen.com. Morris's college friend Narvell Benning told the paper, "She was just the sweetest person. I can't think of a time when I did not see a smile on her face. I'm so thankful of the good memories I have of her. This is just unreal."
Luis S. Vielma worked at Universal Studios in Orlando as part of a team that ran the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey attraction. Before he was found dead, his friend Eddi Anderson posted an emotional message on Facebook, hopeful he would be found alive. Upon hearing of his death, J.K. Rowling tweeted a picture of him, expressing her condolences.
After his quest to find Vielma alive turned out to be in vain, Anderson wrote on Facebook, "Im so sorry everyone... Luis is an angel now. I can't believe you're gone brother.. rest in paradise." Vielma was studying to be a physical therapist at Seminole State College of Florida, according to his Facebook page. One of his last posts on Facebook was a photo of himself and friends standing in front of Disney's Magic Kingdom, captioned "True friends become family."
Torres, who was from San Juan, Puerto Rico, was visiting family when he was killed, according to the Orlando Sentinel. He was one of multiple victims who attended Sistema Universitario Ana G. Méndez, school officials told the paper. His cousin Maria Arocho searched for him yesterday and told members of the media that he was last seen with his boyfriend, Michael Morales, who was reportedly shot in both legs during the attack.
Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo worked at Target in Kissimmee, Fla., as a cashier and in the store’s Starbucks. He described himself on Facebook as a dancer and was mourned by his coworker Claudia Mason, who wrote, “He lit up any area he worked in, especially Starbucks. So sad that his life was cut so short by such an evil person.” His coworker and close friend Stacey Somah posted a photo of herself with Ocasio-Capo at Starbucks and wrote, “As long as I live and even in death I will not forget you.”
He went by the name "Peter Ommy," and his Facebook page said he attended high school in New Jersey until 2013 and worked at UPS in Orlando. Ommy spoke both English and Spanish, according to his profile, and was from South Africa.
Josaphat was an Orlando resident who was called "young and talented" by family friends. A friend said on Facebook, "Many lives taken, many families heartbroken, this was Not suppose to happen to Us Orlando...my heart is shattered and my prayers are with all my FB friends and family who lost a love one....words cannot describe how we are aching. JASON was the last body found this morning ...he was still in the bathroom where he was held hostage with others."
His friend said he liked to share his taste in music and scour the internet for new hairstyle ideas. "Juan in everything he did left his mark," she said.
Leroy "Roy" Fernandez was a native of Ponce, Puerto Rico. He lived in Orlando and worked as a leasing agent at an apartment complex. According to the Orlando Sentinel, he "loved dressing up and dancing to moves he choreographed in front of crowds while belting out renditions of Beyoncé or Jennifer Lopez...His zeal for life spilled offstage and followed him everywhere he went, even at his job as a leasing agent at Auvers Village Apartments in Orlando."
"He filled our office with music," said Yolanda Quinones-Perez, Fernandez's friend and manager at Auvers Village. "He sang Adele in the office until we couldn't take it anymore. It just feels very quiet, now."
Murray recently graduated from West Catholic Prep in Philadelphia, according to the school."Akyra was on a family vacation to celebrate graduation and visit her brother. A recent graduate, Akyra was a superstar who was a leader amongst her classmates and teammates," the school said. "She was an honors student whom graduated third in her class, and a 1,000 point scorer on the Lady Burrs basketball team. Akyra recently signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Mercyhurst College. May God bless Akyra’s soul and provide comfort to all family and friends during this very troubling time." Her father, Albert Murray, said on Facebook, "Thanks for all the prayers for my family we truly appreciate it," her father, "I stand on my ancestors and God. I know she is in a safer place then America. Shit you can't even go on vacation." (West Catholic Prep)
At just 21 years old, Martinez was among the youngest to die in the shooting. He was originally from Cuba.
Alvear was a fashonista who died with her close friend Mercedes Marisol Flores, her family said in an interview with the Orlando Sentinel.
The day she died she had been shopping with her young nieces, her brother Brian Alvear told the paper. "She liked to look good and she wanted my girls—her girls—to look good," he said.
Alvear herself had been through a radical transformation, losing 180 pounds through gastric bypass surgery, according to the paper. Her brother explained that she liked to go to gay clubs because there she felt free to be herself.
Alvear graduated from Ridge Community High School in Davenport, Fla., and worked as a pharmacy technician but planned to become a nurse, according to the paper.
She was a force to be reckoned with. "People got caught in her wake," her brother said, "Whatever she was doing, that's what they were going to do and have fun doing it."
Candelario was an ophtalmic technician at the Florida Retina Institute, according to his Facebook page. A native of Guanica, Puerto Rico, Candelario lived in Chicago from 2014 until recently, when he moved to Orlando. He also worked as a Zumba instructor. He graduated from the Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico Recinto Metropolitano with a degree in nursing and from the Illinois College of Optometry, where he studied to be a nurse technician. Candelario wrote on his Facebook page, "I'm an adventurous, easy going but responsible man that would like to live life completely."
Captain Brown was a captain in the Army Reserve and a graduate of Florida A&M University, the school said. A Cocoa Beach, Florida, native, he graduated in 2008 with a degree in criminal justice and was a member of the ROTC. He served overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan, his friend explained on Twitter. Another friend quoted in the Orlando Sentinel described him as a "down to earth guy."
McCool was at the club with her niece and son when she was gunned down, according to her cousin Jessenia Marquez. The family searched through the night for McCool before discovering she had been killed. In a fundraising post created by her son Edwin Morales on Facebook, he described his mother as a "true warrior" who had survived both breast and bone cancer. Morales wrote that she was the mother of 11 children and had been "shot multiple times." McCool's niece, Kassandra Marquez and son, Isaiah Henderson survived the shooting. On his Facebook page, Henderson wrote:
According to her Facebook page, McCool had been married to her husband for 15 years.
Sanfeliz, originally from Cuba, was living in Tampa and worked at JPMorgan Chase, according to his Facebook page. He graduated from Gaither High School in Tampa and went to Hillsborough Community College. His brother, Junior Sanfeliz, wrote of him on Facebook "My heart is completely broken. ... Everyone knows the bond that I had with my brother, we would finish each other's sentences, knew each other's thoughts, and could sense when the other was upset. He was so strong, and was my rock through everything we ever went through. He was the light of my family and I know that he will continue to bless us and his light will be radiating down from a better place."
Connell was at Pulse with his girlfriend when he was killed. She was also shot and is recovering at a local hospital, according to Facebook posts from family and friends. Connell worked at Publix and was studying sports journalism/broadcasting at Valencia Community College, according to his Facebook page. He graduated from Edgewater High School and lived in Ocoee, Florida. A GoFundMe account has been set up to help his family pay for funeral expenses. He was a football player and an assistant coach for the Orlando Anarchy Women's Football Team.
Burt was from Jacksonville, FL, and was a member of the Jacksonville Jaycees, the organization said on Facebook. He worked as a financial aid officer Keiser University, according to the Florida Times-Union."We are very saddened to be dealing with this loss. He was one of our family members and team members and he was very respected as an employee and a friend," the school's president, Lisamarie Winslow, told the Times-Union. "... As the morning has progressed, people have been hearing of his death. I have spoken to my staff and students as questions are being asked. We have grief couseleors to make sure they know who to go to if they are dealing with the pain and sadness." Winslow called Burt a nice guy who always had a smile on his face. He previously worked as a district manager at McDonald's and as a manager at Forever 21.
A bartender at Pulse, Drayton had a cruise booked in September and she was excited to go, her girlfriend Emmy Addison explained on the website Black Lesbian Love Lab. Drayton was working at Pulse the night she was murdered. The couple had been together off and on for nine years. "We had only been separated for two months when one man’s hatred ended our dreams of getting back together," Addison wrote. "Now we’re never going to have the opportunity to not be separated anymore."
Drayton and Addison met on MySpace around the time of Addison's birthday. Friends were wishing Addison a happy birthday and Drayton, who didn't know her, commented "happy birthday." The rest was history, Addison wrote.
"The worst part was leaving the hospital knowing I had to go home to our son who loved her and who she loved so very much," Addison wrote. "He’s only two; he doesn’t understand. But every time I look at all her pictures in my phone, he just points and says, “Mommie.”"
Addison wrote that there wasn't anything she didn't miss about Drayton, "I just want her back," she wrote.
Leinonen died at the club with his boyfriend, Juan Guerrero. His mother, Christine Leinonen, showed up at the club and spoke to reporters through tears as she desperately tried to find him. According to his Facebook page, he is originally from Detroit and had just celebrated a birthday this month. Leinonen posed for a photo with Guerrero for #ManCrushMonday and appeared in many photos with his mother and sister.
The couple planned to marry, but now they will have a joint funeral.
Rios was a social worker from Brooklyn, NY, according to his Facebook page. He worked as a coordinator at True Care Home Health Care Agency and obtained his degree from St. Francis College in Brooklyn. On Monday night, family and friends mourned him on Facebook, pleading that his body be returned to New York.
His friend Christina Wilcox remembered him this way:
In all caps, his grandmother Cynthia Perez wrote, "WHEN IS IT GOING TO BE ENOUGH? BECAUSE OF ONE EVIL HUMAN BEING, I LOST A LOVING GRANDSON AND MY DAUGHTER IN LAW AND SON LOST THEIR SON. PLEASE GOD, EXPLAIN THIS TO ME!!R.I.P MY GRANDSON Enrique Rios YOU WILL BE MISSED BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN!!"
Frank Hernandez, who went by Frank Escalante, was originally from Weslaco, TX, and had moved to Florida two years ago, his family told KGRV-TV. "Frank H. Escalante was just an absolute incredible person inside and out. Due to the unfortunate event that took place in Orlando at Pulse on July 12th he is now a victim who lost his life during the shooting," said Linda Garza, who set up a GoFundMe page. Garza added that she, along with all his family and many friends would greatly appreciate any type of help we can get for funeral expenses. Thank you all so much. Again, any type of help is greatly appreciated by his family. God bless you all." He also sported a tattoo that says "love has no gender."
Geraldo Ortiz, better known as Drake Ortiz, is a native of Santo Domingo, DR, according to his Facebook page. He has also lived in Puerto Rico and was residing in Orlando. (Facebook)
"May your beautiful soul rest in peace," said one friend on Facebook.
Menendez was originally from Manti, PR, and worked as a sales associate at Speedway, according to his Facebook profile. He studied healthcare management and was in a relationship, according to the social networking site.
His cousin mourned his death on Facebook, writing:
He went by the name "Harvey George Kings" on Facebook, the English translation of his first name. Originally from Guayama, PR he worked at Gucci after leaving Guess, where he worked for almost 13 years. On Facebook he wrote "So You Think You Can Dance" was his "favorite show everrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. I think dance is the most beautiful art/sport." He had a sarcastic sense of humor, posting photos of himself lounging at the beach, writing: "life is so hard and difficult," or, "finally the sun's out," mocking Florida's regularly beautiful weather. He had a mini Schauzer he named Paolo Achü whom he called his "baby boy" and appeared to love dearly. Reyes had at least one sister and brother and two nephews he bragged about on Facebook, posting photos of their growth.
After the shooting, his best friend from high school, Yahina Figueroa, was desperately searching for news about him on Facebook. When she learned of his death she wrote in Spanish: "What sadness and pain I have in my heart. It's hard to accept that it's true Javier I'll miss you!"
Nieves, who went to high school in Orlando and was originally from Puerto Rico, was a general manager at a check cashing business, according to the Orlando Sentinel. He bought his first house a month and a half ago and also wanted to help his mother find a new place to live, friends told the newspaper. "He was just a caring, loving guy — just like a big teddy bear," Ivonne Irizarry told the Sentinel. "He wanted to be the best at what he did, and he would work very hard to achieve that. So if he had to put in the long hours to get it right, he'd do it. If he had to stay to work a double [shift], he did it. That's why whatever job he went to, he became a manager."
Wright worked at Disney World as a seasonal worker in the Magic Kingdom, according to the Orlando Sentinel. "It's hard to understand, but the people with you work with at Disney, they are an amazing family," former co-worker Scott Dickison told the newspaper. "Jerry was a great guy to work with. He was quiet but really wonderful with all the guests. He always had a smile on his face." Wright's parents live in Miami, the newspaper reports. He was at Pulse to celebrate the 21st birthday of a friend, Cory Connell, who was also killed. Wright had a degree in hospitality management from Florida International University and also studied marketing at Northeastern University, according to his Linkedin profile. In addition to working at Disney, Wright worked in marketing and sales.
Rayon went to high school in Winter Garden, Florida, and studied at Lake-Sumter State College, according to his Facebook page. A friend told the Orlando Sentinel that Rayon was born in Mexico and had just returned to Florida after living there for several years. "He was the best," his friend, Lorena Barragan said. "He was loyal. He was always trying to do stuff to make you feel better." Barragan said Rayon was religious and worked in construction, sending money to his family in Mexico.
Vega moved from Puerto Rico to Orlando to work for the Telemundo show "La Voz Kids," according to the National Association of Hispanic Journalists of which he was a member. The organization offered its condolences to Vega's family. "As a member of the Comcast NBCUniversal Telemundo family, I can tell you personally the news over the weekend has been difficult for everyone company wide," wrote NAHJ president Mekahlo Medina. "There was at least one other employee fatally shot in the attack as well," he wrote.
Cesar Conde, Chairman of NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises, extended this thoughts and prayes to Vega's family. “He was a great assistant producer and had been working with us since “Yo Soy el Artista” and previously at Telemundo Puerto Rico. Most recently, he was working in audience management in the current season of “La Voz Kids.” Jonathan will be missed dearly...”
He was originally from Barceloneta, PR, and lived in Orlando, according to his Facebook page. He was the owner of D'Magaazine Salon & Spa. "For the past 10 years, I have religiously had Juan (the owner) cut my hair. He's not good--he's outstanding, and very particular. He takes pride in his work and has consistently over delivered," said a client of his on Yelp.
Wilson-Leon Died with his boyfriend, Jean Carlos Perez. The pair had been together for around eight years, longtime friend Daniel Gmys-Casiano told the Orlando Sentinel. Wilson-Leon had always been different and "had been dealing with hate all his life," his friend told the paper.
"We grew up in a really small town in Puerto Rico … and he was going to same church that I was, and he was always the odd man out. He was bullied constantly. He was different. He would dress in black, wear long sideburns,'' Gmys-Casiano recalled.
"He moved to Vero Beach, alone, and knowing almost no English — he was my hero," Gmys-Casiano told the paper.
"He never retaliated with hate. He was a very loving person. He was strong. He would stand to protect his friends," his friend said.
Conde was originally from San Lorenzo, PR, and lived in Orlando, according to his Facebook page.
Solivan's family searched for her Sunday, but could not find her, according to The Washington Post. Solivan's sister, Joannette Martinez, told the paper it was Solivan's first time at the club and she was celebrating a visit from her brother-in-law. “No one’s told us anything,” Martinez told the paper as she sat on the sidewalk, her back to the hospital, after waiting for several hours.
Flores went to the club with her friend Amanda Alvear, but neither woman survived the night's unspeakable attack. Flores studied literature at Valencia College in Orlando but was originally from Queens, NY, according to her Facebook profile.
In an email, her niece, Jennifer Flores, told the Orlando Sentinel that she loved music. "Whenever I was in the car with her, she always had the music blasting, and I guess she got the love of music from my father and uncle who are DJs." Her niece told the paper, "She was just a really fun nice person and cared a lot about her friends. She really did live her life the way she wanted to."
Honorato's brother searched for him Sunday, hoping the father of three would be found alive, but that was not the case. "I feel worthless there — I can't do anything 'cause I don't know if he is OK," his brother Jose Honorato told Tampa TV station WFTS before learning Miguel had been murdered. Honorato went out with friends to celebrate at Pulseg. According to his Facebook profile, he worked with his brother at FajitaMex Mexican Catering in Orlando and lived in Apopka. He was mourned by family members and friends who expressed disbelief on Facebook, that such a violent act could take him from them.
Montero lived with boyfriend and fellow victim Simon Fernandez at their home in Kissimmee with three chihuahuas and was also attending university. He and Fernandez had just returned from a trip to Niagara Falls, family members told the Orlando Sentinel.
As a child, Montero lived in the Dominican Republic, his cousin Yamilka Pimentel told the paper. "Oscar was a very sweet guy. Very sweet to everybody," she told the paper. "Every time he met somebody they would like him a lot. He was the type of guy who goes along with anybody."
On Facebook, he posted a video critical of Donald Trump and asked his friends to "please watch this." He was sensitive to the needs of animals, writing that a video of factory farming made him "want to become a vegetarian."
On Facebook, he listed Fernandez as his only family member.
Henry lived in Orlando and is survived by his two children.
"I miss him. I love him,'' Henry's boyfriend, Hernandez said in an email. "I took care of him, and he took care of me. Such a loving spirit. I'll always have him in my heart.
"He kept many aspects of his life private from family. He felt that there was no need for them to know what he does in his life. His priority was to make sure his kids were taken care of.''
Ayala was originally from San German, PR, and lived in Kissimmee, Florida,according to his Facebook page. He attended InterAmerican San German and worked at OneBlood, the Florida blood bank that was overwhelmed Sunday by people looking todonate blood for the victims of the shooting. He was a biologics assistant. A friend, Nailea Disla, wrote on Facebook, "Your soul lives forever my friend. You touched many lives with your energy, always had a smile on your face, a joke to make and stories to tell. Shine bright like a diamond Rodolfo Ayala."
Tomlinson was the front man of the band Frequency, and he loved Janet Jackson, according to his Twitter account. He described himself on social media as a vocal arranger, singer, actor, model, and songwriter. He was a graduate of East Carolina University in Greenville, NC, where he obtained a bachelor of science degree in communication with a minor in business administration in 2003, according to the The Charlotte Observer. The paper noted the school would hold a candlelight vigil for the community Tuesday. Below he uses his beautiful voice to perform John Legend's song "Stay With Me."
Fernandez was attending university along with his partner, Aracena-Montero, who died with him at Pulse on Sunday. The pair had just purchased a house in Kissimmee, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
Former co-worker Ivonne Irizarry told the paper Fernandez was driven. "He had to be the best, that was his thing," Irizarry said. "I cook the best, I clean the best, I work the best."
Stanley Almodovar III would have been 24 this month. He lived in Clermont, FL, but was originally from Springfield, MA. Almodovar worked as a pharmacy technician and joked on his Instagram page that “drug life chose me.” He was shot in the chest, stomach, and side and died at the Orlando Regional Medical Center, according to the Sentinel. His mother, Rosalie Ramos, 51, told the paper she had clung to hope that he would survive. “I was hoping maybe [he was shot in] the hand or the leg," she said. "You can survive [a gunshot to] the leg,” she said. His aunt Yoly told the paper he had a promising future and was "an amazing person with a good soul."
According to the Associated Press, Rosado "went by Eman Valentino on the stage. He dressed elegantly in a cap, tie and gloves, collecting tips from the audience between high kicks and spins, according to a YouTube video. Off the stage, Rosado had a young son who had graduated from pre-kindergarten."
"I have no words to express how proud and happy I am of my little boy," Rosado wrote on Facebook recently about his son.
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