San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
Family and friends hold a vigil for slain 17-year-old
When spring break started for 17-year-old Kaitlin Hernandez, her family was looking forward to watching her walk the stage at her graduation from Roosevelt High School in May. Now, they’re in mourning. The Hernandez family gathered Friday with dozens of friends and supporters to celebrate the life of Kaitlin, who was found strangled in a drainage ditch on San Antonio’s Northeast Side.
The vigil was held near where the body was discovered Tuesday beneath a bridge in the 7600 block of Dell Oak Drive.
Many of those in attendance paid tribute to Kaitlin by wearing red shirts and bringing red balloons and roses. Red was her favorite color.
Her mother, Angie Hernandez, described the teenager as her “pride and joy.”
“The most beautiful daughter in the world, and her life was cut short because someone chose to take her life. It’s not fair,” she said. “Momma loves you, and momma was always proud of you for the woman you grew up to be.”
San Antonio police found Kaitlin’s nude body around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday after her family said she went for a walk with a neighbor. The neighbor returned without Kaitlin. Police interviewed the unidentified neighbor, but it’s unclear whether he will face charges.
A man walking over the bridge on Dell Oak saw Kaitlin’s phone in the ditch when it lit up. Police stumbled upon her body and pieces of her clothing nearby.
At Friday’s vigil, family members set up a table for her on the bridge. It had a “Justice for Kaitlin Hernandez” sign with a picture of the teenager, candles representing her faith and bundles of flowers.
Pastor Johnny Vaughn of New Hope Church began the ceremony with a prayer. Vaughn, who was Kaitlin’s pastor, described her as “amazing and strong.”
“She thinks she was better than me at football,” Vaughn said as he pointed to a football he called the “Johnny and Kaitlin” football.
“She was,” someone in the crowd said to laughter.
Vaughn recalled how Kaitlin, without being asked, volunteered to serve as his wife’s assistant Sunday school teacher to help an autistic boy who attended the church.
“She had a heart and passion for that,” he said.
After the pastor spoke, the family lit candles and released balloons in memory of Kaitlin. As they counted down to the balloon release, the crowd said in unison, “I love you, Kaitlin.”
Kaitlin’s aunt, Crystal Rodriguez looked up to the sky and yelled, “Fly high, baby girl.”
Kaitlin’s grandmother, Alicia Hernandez, cried out, “I love you, Kaitlin.”
Rodriguez described her last memory of her niece. It was from her husband’s birthday party in February.
“She was the life of the party, the last party I remembered her at,” Rodriguez said as she broke down.
Vaughn concluded the ceremony by saying, “The killer or killers are in this neighborhood and will be brought to light.”
Crime Stoppers San Antonio is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for Kaitlin’s death.
Call Crime Stoppers at 210224-7867, text “Tip 127 plus your tip” to CRIMES (274637) or use the P3 Tips app. Tips will remain anonymous.