‘A loving, caring, very kind soul.’ Annual Modesto vigil recalls homicide victims
Hundreds of survivors gathered for the 22nd straight year to honor homicide victims in Stanislaus County.
The District Attorney’s Office hosted a candlelight vigil Thursday night outside the county courthouse in Modesto.
Friends and families placed ornaments in honor of their lost loved ones on a pair of Christmas trees. They watched as the names of several hundred victims, dating back decades, scrolled on a video screen.
And they listened as guest speaker Maria Coberly recalled the anguish of hearing that her grandson, Erik Gustavo Sandoval Preciado, had been fatally shot on May 1, 2007. He was the target of a botched carjacking that resulted in convictions for three men.
“Erik was a loving, caring, very kind soul,” Coberly said. “He was respectful to all people, especially his elders. He was a loving father to his daughter, Erika, who was 4 years old.”
Coberly also noted that her grandson had registered as an organ donor before he died, which helped a few other people to live. A Modesto Bee story in April told how daughter Erika, now a teenager, finally met the man who received her father’s heart. She listened to the beat through a stethoscope.
The DA’s Victim Services Unit puts on the vigil to highlight the help available to grieving families. This year’s version featured music by Tanya De la Puente and the River Lights Choir.
“To those of you who are here for the first time,” District Attorney Birgit Fladager said, “I hope that you find some comfort here knowing that there are others who understand what you are going through this holiday season.”
Save Mart donated the two trees for decoration. They will be displayed until early January in the lobby of the DA’s Office, 832 12th St.
This story was originally published December 5, 2019 at 8:42 PM.
