Family members and friends stopped cars passing by L Street and Hyatt Avenue Thursday night to collect donations for the funeral services of Cristian Zugey Alvarez, who was murdered and died Monday under the bushes near train tracks in Wilmington. Community members gathered around a makeshift alter created with candles, flowers and a crucifix that was hung above a photograph of the woman. A large crowd of people congregated at a candlelight vigil where family and friends mourned for Alvarez.
“I went to school with her…it’s a sad situation, it’s so close to home,” said Lorena Ortega, 28, Wilmington resident.
Everyone remains in shock and are frighten of their safety. Many people fear walking alone near the location of where her body was found, which is feet away from Holy Family Catholic Church. “I’m use to walking from church to my house, but I’m not anymore,” said Maria Vega, 45, Wilmington resident who lives a few houses away from the crime scene.
In a statement given to the Daily Breeze by her brother, Jonathan Alvarez, he stated that the family knows little about what happened to his sister, but believe she was raped in what might have been a robbery.
Residents said that this type of violence is something unheard of in Wilmington and demand that the police patrol daily to ensure the safety of the community.
“All day there’s been people coming,” said Vega. “It makes me happy to see the support of the community."
