Local families unite for National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims

Fridaywas the 17th Annual National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims. Families in Monterey County joined together at the courthouse in Salinas to remember their loved ones taken through violence.

“I hurt. I still got my moments. It’s been 26 years and I’ve still got my moments,” said Juan Pina.

Pina vividly remembers the day his 14-year-old daughter Christy was foundslain in Castroville. It’s pain he said will never go away.

“She was a good kid, very good. Not because she’s my daughter but I got boxes of certificates to prove that,” said Pina.

This year, many families said the day felt different. With more than 20 homicides in Salinas and the spike in gang violence earlier this year in South Monterey County, they said the communities need to start talking.

“We have to lose the fear of if we speak up. There has to be protection. If we speak up we need to make sure that we feel that protection,” said Angie Ortega with the Monterey County chapter of Parents of Murdered Children.

Ortega said when her daughter was murdered in 1993, no one wanted to speak up. And while she eventually got some justice when her daughter’s killed was locked up, others like Pina are still waiting.

“We have to do something about it. We have to get together. But most of all the people that know something have to come out and have to say something,” said Pina.