Families coping with loss stand together this holiday season

Dozens of families, with one tragic thing in common: they lost a loved one in a homicide. They came together in Closter Park, Saturday night. It was there that they lit candles, laid flowers, and carried photos of their lost loved ones.

“Someone asked me if I missed him, and I said, if they only how much I miss him,” said one mother, who lost her son.

Since 2002, Debbie Aguilar said she has worked with more than 100 Monterey County families who lost a loved one. “I am my sons voice. Stephen Joseph Aguilar. He loved Christmas. We’re just trying to bring that back so they can see that there is hope in those that have gone there before them,” said Aguilar.

The group does this annually, gathering around the holidays to support each other. Moms, dads, sisters, and brothers stepped forward to speak for those that are no longer here.

Members of the Salinas Police Department showed their support and told families that they are committed to putting an end to these tragedies. “We want to bring the numbers down to zero because that’s what we can do together,” said Chief Adele Frese.

At the end, each family released a balloon representing a loved one.