Salinas mourns loss of local murder victim advocate

SALINAS, Calif. (KION)

Friends and family members say they are shocked and trying to cope with the loss of local murder victims advocate, 60-year-old Debbie Aguilar, who lost her battle against COVID-19 this weekend, according to family members.

Aguilar is described by family and friends as a beloved mother, grandmother, friend and passionate advocate who "never stopped."

“She really was fighting hard," says Misty Arias, a friend of Aguilar's.

After losing her own son to gun violence, friends and family say Aguilar dedicated years to the group A Time for Healing and Grieving to support and uplift others with similar grief.

Judith Lopez met Aguilar in 2011 after losing a family member and says Aguilar was there to support her.

“Salinas is big on Homicides and I was able to support other families just as she did in myself," says Lopez.

Across Monterey County, other advocates and community leaders say this is a tremendous loss for them.

“Debbie aways put others first besides herself, she’s definitely leaving a legacy here, someone’s got to come and fulfill those shoes, I don’t know who can fulfill those shoes but gosh, I mean, this woman was a heart of gold," says Foster Care Advocate, Steve Duran.

“For us to lose one of those champions, one of those key organizers in the community, it’s certainly going to be hard to replace the leadership Debbie left behind," says Monterey County Supervisor, Luis Alejo.

KION reached out to Aguilar's family, who says they are heartbroken and still trying to cope with the loss.

A statement from Aguilar's son, Sergio Aguilar reads:

"We would like to say that if you can only imagine how much Debbie loved serving the community, and Jesus, she had even more of an abundance, ten fold more than that, of love in her heart for her family.

It was very important to her to make sure that everyone forgave each other and got along.

She was always the first to ask for hugs. Even when life was the hardest for us, through deaths, economic hardships, sickness, she always had a face of bravery for her family.

She thanked God everyday for her children and grandchildren. She was beautiful, and so funny, she liked to make jokes, and laugh with us all. She loved to cook and took pride in her homeade tortillas teaching her granddaughter to make them, rolling together and singing. She was the glue that held us all together.

We are so heartbroken that she left us. She cried the other day and said even though she was going to be happy to see Stephen again, she wasn't ready to leave. Covid-19 has taken her from us too soon. She died alone without our arms, we are isolated and can't mourn or grieve together as we should. She asked me to please arrange a meeting on zoom with the Nurse and all her children, we did, we had a funny light-hearted talk. She told me that was the most beautiful day for her. To see all her kids together.

She loved her brothers and her sister so much too, her life really  was about family. We know God has his greatest warrior by his side now, and though we ache with disbelief and grief, can just imagine her dancing in heaven."

Family members say they are most concerned for the well-being of the children Aguilar leaves behind and are now asking for community support.

To make a contribution, visit https://www.facebook.com/donate/397695707997753/?fundraiser_source=external_url