Forty Nine
A star student who just landed a college scholarship. A talented dancer. A self-identified "Daddy's girl." A proud mom of 11. Several pairs of best friends, partners and lovers. Beloved parents, brothers, sisters, friends, aunts, uncles, cousins and co-workers. Here's a closer look at the 49 innocents who lost their lives in the worst mass shooting in U.S. history.
Pulse NightClub, Orlando
June 12, 2016
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Brenda Lee Marquez McCool
Age 49
"If it weren't for her, he'd of been shot."
Brenda Lee
Marquez McCool
"While we teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life's all about," Brenda Lee Marquez McCool wrote on Facebook. "Embrace, encourage, acknowledge, and love them unconditionally."
The Brooklyn mom of 11 was out at Pulse with one of her children, Isaiah Henderson. As her sister-in-law Ada Pressley told the New York Daily News, she saw the gunman point his weapon at her and her child and acted fast.
Brenda saw him point the gun. She said, 'Get down,' to Isaiah and she got in front of him," her sister-in-law told the New York Daily News. "She was shot dead. That's how much she loved her kids. If it weren't for her, he'd of been shot.
Edward Sotomayor Jr.
Age 34
He loved the Cosby Show, Maya Angelou and Robin Williams.
Edward
Sotomayor Jr.
Edward Sotomayor Jr. loved the Cosby Show, Maya Angelou and Robin Williams.
He shared his approach to life on Facebook: "Everything we experience comes to us for a reason. Even if, for example, we trip and bust our nose, we need to understand that it wasn’t an accident. There is some place we put our nose where it shouldn’t have been. There is always a lesson, a message, and/or an opportunity in whatever comes our way."
Edward's cousin, David Sotomayor, told the Associated Press the two last exchanged messages last week.
"You never think that's going to be the last time you speak to him," he said. "It's just heartbreaking to know it just can happen anytime."
Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz
Age 22
"He was a happy person. If Peter is not at the party, no one wants to go."
Peter O.
Gonzalez-Cruz
Known to his family and friends as "Ommy," Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz had a huge spirit.
"He was a happy person. If Peter is not at the party, no one wants to go," his aunt, Sonia Cruz, said.
After news of the shooting emerged, Sonia Cruz said she held out hope for hours that her nephew would turn up in a hospital bed. Late Sunday afternoon, she was told he was among those killed. He had left his car across the street from Pulse, one of several vehicles left behind by party-goers who went out dancing and never came home.
Juan Chavez-Martinez
Age 25
"It is very difficult. Everybody loved him.”
Juan
Chevez-Martinez
Juan Chevez-Martinez lived in Davenport, Florida and hailed from Huichapan, Mexico, according to his Facebook page. He was a housekeeping supervisor for APDC Services, which provides cleaning and staffing services to the hospitality industry, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
“He was extremely friendly, very dedicated to his family, to his co-workers," Alicia Amarro, APDC's chief financial officer told the Orlando Sentinel. "It is very difficult. Everybody loved him.”
Javier Jorge-Reyes
Age 40
He called himself "the best friend you can ever have."
Javier
Jorge-Reyes
In his own words, Javier Jorge-Reyes was "the best friend you can ever have." He worked as a supervisor at Gucci after studying business at the University of Sagrado Corazón in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Darryl Roman Burt II
Age 29
He went to Pulse to celebrate getting his master's degree.
Darryl Roman
Burt II
According to the Florida-Times Union, Darryl Roman Burt II went to Pulse to celebrate: he had just graduated with his master's degree. He worked as a financial aid officer at Keiser University's Jacksonville campus.
"Darryl was a highly respected member of the KU team, and his contributions to our students and his colleagues will not be forgotten," the school's chancellor Arthur Keiser said in a statement. In his free time, he volunteered with a nonprofit called the Jacksonville Jaycees.
“He was passionate and always willing to help," the president of the group's local chapter, Shawn DeVries, said, adding that Darryl had just led his first volunteer event.
Stanley Almodovar III
Age 23
His mom had made a tomato-and-cheese dip for him to eat when he came home.
Stanley
Almodovar III
Stanley Almodovar III's mother had made a tomato-and-cheese dip for him to eat when he came home from his night out. Instead, Rosalie Ramos was awakened by a 2 a.m. phone call telling her something had happened.
She told the Orlando Sentinel her son, a pharmacy technician, had posted a Snapchat of himself singing and laughing on his way to Pulse.
"I wish I had that (video) to remember him forever," she said.
Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera
Age 36
"At his core, he was a proud Puerto Rican."
Eric Ivan
Ortiz-Rivera
Eric had just moved to a new apartment in downtown Orlando: "in love with my new place," he posted on Facebook in February. At his core, he was a proud Puerto Rican, and frequently expressed that pride on Facebook. Take one image he posted in April: "Some spend their whole lives trying to be awesome," it said. "Others are born Puerto Rican."
Nearly half of the people slain in the shooting were Puerto Ricans.
"Why? Why? We're just good people," Sheehan said. "These are young people out trying to have a good time. When I was their age, I was out at this club and others in the city. I just don't understand how anyone could do this to my community."
Patty Sheehan, Orlando's first openly gay commissioner
Juan Ramon Guerrero
Age 22
He had just come out to his family this year.
Juan Ramon
Guerrero
Juan Ramon Guerrero's cousin, Robert Guerroro, said Juan came out to him two years ago. But, he was anxious about telling the rest of his family. When he finally did this year, it went better than expected.
"They were very accepting," said Robert, 19. "As long as he was happy, they were okay with it." Juan's family had even come to accept his boyfriend, Drew Leinonen, as a member of the family, Robert said.
Juan and Drew (below) both died in the shooting. They will have a joint funeral service.
Christopher Andrew Leinonen
Age 34
Family members said Drew and Juan planned to walk down the aisle.
Christopher Andrew
Leinonen
Christopher Andrew Leinonen went by the name Drew. He died at Pulse alongside his boyfriend, Juan Guerrero, 22. They had been dating for nearly two years, and family members said they planned to marry. Instead, the men will share a funeral service.
Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo
Age 20
"He would always call me and say, 'I'm going to be the next Hollywood star.'"
Luis Omar
Ocasio-Capo
He worked at Target, but Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo wanted to be a star.
"He would always call me and say, 'I'm going to be the next Hollywood star,'" his sister, Belinette Ocasio-Capo, told the Associated Press. "He really did want to make it and be known."
"Now his name ended up being all around the world, like he wanted -- just not this way."
He would always call me and say, 'I'm going to be the next Hollywood star,'" Luis' sister told the AP. "Now his name ended up being all around the world, like he wanted -- just not this way.
Eddie Jamoldroy Justice
Age 30
He wrote of the shooter: "He's coming I'm gonna die."
Eddie Jamoldroy
Justice
Mina Justice was in bed when she received a series of frantic texts from her son, Eddie Justice, saying he was hiding in the bathroom at Pulse. He wrote of the shooter:
"He's coming
I'm gonna die."
Eddie Justice was normally a homebody who liked to eat, exercise and make people laugh, his mother told the Associated Press.
Deonka Deidra Drayton
Age 32
She was in the midst of turning her life around.
Deonka Deidra Drayton
Deonka Deidra Drayton was in the midst of turning her life around after a series of personal challenges, her ex-girlfriend Ashleigh Alleyne told the Orlando Sentinel.
She was going to church, making new friends, and helping care for a 3-year-old, Ashleigh told the paper.
"I know that she didn't leave this earth doing wrong," Ashleigh said. "She was actually putting in effort, because we both hit rock bottom at the same time. She pushed me to get through her issues and I always tried to do the same for her."
Jason Benjamin Josaphat
Age 19
He was one of the shooter's youngest victims.
Jason Benjamin
Josaphat
Jason Benjamin Josaphat was one of the youngest victims of the mass shooting at Pulse. He was a student at Valencia College. He loved technology, and had an interest in photography.
According to the Sentinel, when the shooting began, Jason called his mother from inside the nightclub and told her someone was shooting.
Alejandro Barrios Martinez
Age 21
"Every interaction I had with him was totally positive."
Alejandro
Barrios Martinez
Alejandro Barrios Martinez was a native of Cuba, and had just moved to Florida, the Orlando Sentinel reported. Sarai Torres told the Sentinel she met Martinez last year.
"Every interaction I had with him was totally positive," she said.
Anthony Luis Laureanodisla
Age 25
"I want people to remember Anthony as someone who was very happy and very kind."
Anthony Luis
Laureanodisla
Anthony Luis Laureanodisla started dancing at 10 years old, and could pull off a range of styles, from salsa to ballroom, his cousin Ana Figueroa said. She told the Orlando Sentinel that he had texted her Saturday inviting her out, but she responded that she was too tired. He went out with his two roommates, who were both shot in the massacre.
Born in Puerto Rico, Anthony moved to Orlando about three years ago to become a dancer and choreographer, his cousin told the Sentinel.
"I want people to remember Anthony as someone who was very happy and very kind," she said.
Despite the fact that this crime will have a lasting effect on our city and country, Orlando is a strong community. We will be grieving together in the upcoming days, weeks and months. We need to support each other and love each other. This tragedy will not define us, but will bring us together.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer
Martin Benitez Torres
Age 33
He shared a Facebook video, showing off the good food his family made for him, just last week.
Martin
Benitez Torres
Martin Benitez Torres studied in San Juan, Puerto Rico, according to his Facebook page.
He was active on social media, sharing videos with his family and friends.
On June 11, he shared a video of him with what appears to be his family. He shows off all the good food that he says was waiting for him when he arrived to Orlando.
Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado
Age 35
The beloved dancer at gay clubs around Orlando went by the name "Eman Valentino."
Xavier Emmanuel
Serrano Rosado
Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado was a beloved dancer and performer at gay clubs around Orlando. He went by the name "Eman Valentino."
He leaves behind a young son who just graduated from pre-kindergarten, the Associated Press reported.
"I have no words to express how proud and happy I am of my little boy," Xavier gushed about his son recently on Facebook, according to the AP.
Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala
Age 33
His employer, a local blood center, is now collecting blood donations while mourning one of its own.
Rodolfo
Ayala-Ayala
Since the shooting, the blood center OneBlood has been working around the clock to test and process thousands of units of blood donated by locals seeking to help those hospitalized from the massacre.
But the organization is missing one team member: Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala, who joined OneBlood in 2011 as a biologics assistant and most recently worked as a platelet supervisor in the Orlando laboratory.
"Rodolfo was a highly respected member of the OneBlood family," the organization said in a statement. "He was passionate about saving lives and took great pride in the lifesaving work he performed... He was a caring and friendly person and will be greatly missed by everyone who had the honor of knowing him."
Rodolfo was from Puerto Rico. Johnny Rivera Muñiz, a friend, told the Orlando Sentinel that Rodolfo loved his career and was known for his compassion. He was all about "doing things the right way," he said. According to the Sentinel, Rodolfo had bought both a car and a house within the past year. He was about to celebrate his one-year anniversary of home ownership.
Amanda Alvear
Age 25
She once quippped, "My life is like a romantic comedy. Except there's no romance and it's just me laughing at my own jokes."
Amanda
Alvear
Amanda Alvear's passions included the Red Sox and the Twilight series. A self-identified "Daddy's girl," she was deeply family oriented and wanted to become a nurse. Her sense of humor was crystal clear: "My life is like a romantic comedy," she wrote on Facebook in 2012. "Except there's no romance and it's just me laughing at my own jokes."
"She was loving, she was caring, she always had an open ear, she always wanted to help people," Sandy Marte, a friend, said.
He said Amanda posted a video on Snapchat before the shooting that showed a packed club full of revelers, flashing lights and thumping music.
Then, there was another: a selfie video of Amanda with a series of gunshots in the background. Alvear's friend Mercedez Marisol Flores also died in the shooting.
Mercedez Marisol Flores
Age 26
She dreamed of going into business with her brothers.
Mercedez Marisol
Flores
Mercedez Marisol Flores, a Queens native and Target employee, loved the movie Selena. The comedian Kevin Hart made her laugh. She dropped everything to watch "The Walking Dead."
According to her sister-in-law, Nancy Flores, she dreamed of teaming up with her two older brothers, who were DJs, to become a party planner. Mercedez was a regular at Pulse, often going with her best friend Amanda Alvear, Flores said. Both women died in the shooting.
Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez
Age 25
"He was the light and the life of all the family gatherings."
Gilberto Ramon
Silva Menendez
Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez was in the midst of pursuing a degree in health care management at the Ana G. Mendez University's Orlando campus.
"He was the light and the life of all the family gatherings. This all feels like a dream, and I'm going to wake up and he will be texting me or calling me to tell me he is ok," his cousin Irma Silva-Lauer wrote to the Orlando Sentinel.
Joel Rayon Paniagua
Age 32
"We came [to the U.S.] because...we expect it should be more peaceful here."
Joel Rayon Paniagua
Joel Rayon Paniagua moved to Florida from Mexico, his cousin Jose Paniagua told Newsday.
"We came because here in the United States there are many opportunities here and because we were fleeing because in our country there was a lot of crime, violence and death," the cousin said. "And we expect it should be more peaceful here."
Cory James Connell
Age 21
He went to Pulse with his girlfriend so she could teach him Latin dancing.
Cory James
Connell
Cory James Connell went to Pulse with his girlfriend Paula Blanco so she could teach him Latin dancing. Paula survived. Cory did not.
"I knew in my heart of hearts if something happened to him it was because he was protecting his girlfriend. I knew, I believe in my heart of hearts that's what it was," Cory's older brother, Ryan, said.
I knew in my heart of hearts if something happened to him it was because he was protecting his girlfriend. I knew, I believe in my heart of hearts that's what it was.
Oscar A Aracena-Montero
Age 26
"He was the type of guy who goes along with anybody."
Oscar A
Aracena-Montero
Oscar A. Aracena-Montero lived with his partner, Simon Adrian Carillo-Fernandez, and three Chihuahuas in a home they bought last year, a friend, Andrea Herrera, told the Orlando Sentinel.
Yamilka Pimentel, a cousin, said Oscar moved with his father from the Dominican Republic to Central Florida as a child.
"Oscar was a very sweet guy. Very sweet to everybody," Yamilka Pimentel told the paper. "Every time he met somebody they would like him a lot. He was the type of guy who goes along with anybody."
Enrique L. Rios Jr.
Age 25
"There are no words to express what I feel," his mother wrote.
Enrique L.
Rios Jr.
Enrique L. Rios Jr. was at Pulse while on vacation in Orlando from Brooklyn, New York. He studied social work, and worked at a health care agency in Brooklyn.
His mother launched a GoFundMe page to raise money for his burial; as of Wednesday, it had exceeded her $20,000 goal by more than $10,000.
"There are no words to express what I feel," Enrique's mother wrote to donors. "Everyone who donated has done a great deed in caring for my son and have lifted some of this heavy burden."
Luis Daniel Conde
Age 39
He and his partner, another shooting victim, were from the same Puerto Rican high school.
Luis Daniel
Conde
Luis Daniel Conde lived in Orlando, and was from Puerto Rico, according to his Facebook page. According to the Orlando Sentinel, Conde also ran D'Magazine Salon & Spa in Florida with victim Juan P. Rivera Velasquez. They both died in the shooting.
The Sentinel reported that the couple went to the same high school in Puerto Rico.
Juan P. Rivera Velazquez
Age 37
He and his partner, Luis Daniel Conde, ran a salon and spa together.
Juan P.
Rivera Velazquez
Juan P. Rivera Velazquez ran D'Magazine Salon & Spa in Florida along with his partner, Luis Daniel Conde, who also died in the shooting. He lived in Orlando, and was from Puerto Rico, according to his Facebook page.
We will not be defined by the act of a cowardly hater. We will be defined by how we respond, how we treat each other.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer
Frank Hernandez
Age 27
His philosophy "love has no gender" was tattooed on his arm.
Frank
Hernandez
Frank "Frankie" Hernandez was one of five children; he managed a Calvin Klein clothing store, and loved Beyoncé, the Orlando Sentinel reported.
"Frankie was a really great big brother," said his sister, 18-year-old Julissa Leal, to the Orlando Sentinel. "I miss him so much already."
Frankie's boyfriend was shot in the arm at the club, but managed to survive.
His sister told the Sentinel that Frankie moved from Louisiana to Orlando three years ago because he felt more accepted in Orlando. His life philosophy "love has no gender" was tattooed on his upper right arm.
Frankie reportedly moved from Louisiana to Orlando three years because he felt more accepted in Orlando. His life philosophy "love has no gender" was tattooed on his upper right arm.
Jerald Arthur Wright
Age 31
"He was one of the kindest people you could meet."
Jerald Arthur
Wright
Jerald Arthur Wright was a member of the Walt Disney World family. A friend of Wright told the Orlando Sentinel that he was a seasonal employee who had worked most recently in merchandising on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom. He told the Sentinel that Wright had previously worked in Tomorrowland and at Universal Studios in Orlando.
"He was one of the kindest people you could meet," former co-worker Kenneth Berrios said.
Tevin Eugene Crosby
Age 25
He believed in the "work hard, play hard" approach to life.
Tevin Eugene
Crosby
Tevin Eugene Crosby, who worked as operations director for a marketing firm, was proud of his professional successes thus far in life. He proudly shared his milestones on Facebook, including his company's first press release.
But he also believed in enjoying the little things.
"Decided to go shopping this past weekend," he wrote in a Facebook post last month, next to a picture of some new Nikes and jewelry. "Nothing wrong with rewarding yourself #WorkHard #PlayHard."
Jonathan Antonio Camuy Vega
Age 24
Jonathan was an up-and-coming employee for Telemundo.
Jonathan Antonio
Camuy Vega
Jonathan Antonio Camuy Vega worked in audience management for Telemundo's popular show "La Voz Kids," which is produced in Orlando. He moved to Orlando from Puerto Rico, where he also worked for Telemundo. When he was a student, he was active in the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, which called the shooting "a senseless, horrible act."
Geraldo A. Ortiz-Jimenez
Age 25
Geraldo was visiting Florida for a concert.
Geraldo A.
Ortiz-Jimenez
Geraldo "Drake" A. Ortiz-Jimenez was from Puerto Rico and was in Florida for a concert, the Orlando Sentinel reported. His Facebook account says he studied at Universidad del Este in Carolina in Puerto Rico. He went to high school in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Simon Adrian Carrillo Fernandez
Age 31
He never forgot a birthday, bringing in cake for his co-workers.
Simon Adrian
Carrillo Fernandez
Simon Adrian Carrillo-Fernandez loved to travel and "worked to be able to enjoy his life," co-worker Ivonne Irizarry said. A manager at McDonald's, Adrian had traveled to the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Mexico and went on cruises, Irizarry said. He and his partner, Oscar Aracena-Montero, who also was killed at the nightclub, had just returned from Niagara Falls, Ivonne Irizarry told the Orlando Sentinel.
Adrian never forgot a birthday, she said, and would bring in cakes for his McDonald's co-workers. Colleagues said Adrian's attention to detail was a trademark of his leadership style.
"He had to be the best, that was his thing. I cook the best, I clean the best, I work the best," Ivonne Irizarry said.
Jean C. Nieves Rodriguez
Age 27
"He cared more about others than about himself."
Jean C.
Nieves Rodriguez
Jean C. Nieves Rodriguez was a general manager of a check-cashing store, according to the Orlando Sentinel. He bought his first home one month ago.
"He was just a caring, loving guy — just like a big teddy bear," said one of his best friends, Ivonne Irizarry, to the Sentinel.
Rodriguez was orginally from Puerto Rico. His family and friends were everything to him.
"He cared more about others than about himself," said his sister, Valeria Monroig, to the Sentinel.
Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz
Age 24
"He was cut down in his prime."
Christopher Joseph
Sanfeliz
On Facebook, Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz lists his hometown as Havana, Cuba, and his current city as Tampa, Florida. The Orlando Sentinel reports that Sanfeliz was a Tampa bank employee, and was remembered by a former classmate as "the most positive guy I've ever known."
"He [was] a wonderful person and this is such a tragedy," said Mike Wallace, a close family friend. "He was cut down in his prime."
Jean Carlos Mendez Perez
Age 35
He met his partner, Luis, through a complete chance encounter.
Jean Carlos
Mendez Perez
Jean Carlos Mendez Perez's sister-in-law, Katia Mendez, told the Associated Press that Jean doted on her three children, often treating them to ice cream and candy. "He was like a little kid when he was with them," she remembered. Jean met his partner, Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, about a decade ago by complete chance: he sold Luis a bottle of cologne, Declaration by Cartier, his former co-worker Claudia Agudelo told the Orlando Sentinel. Jean and Luis both died in the nightclub shooting.
Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon
Age 37
"He's been dealing with hate all his life. We all have."
Luis Daniel
Wilson-Leon
Daniel Gmys-Casiano said Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, his friend of almost 20 years, was tormented while they were growing up in their small town in Puerto Rice.
"He was always the odd man out. He was bullied constantly. He was different. He would dress in black, wear long sideburns,'' Daniel Gmys-Casiano told the Orlando Sentinel.
Luis immigrated to the U.S. alone, knowing almost no English -- "my hero," Daniel said. Luis died at Pulse alongside his partner of eight years, Jean Carlos Mendez Perez.
"He's been dealing with hate all his life. We all have. I have. He never retaliated with hate. He was a very loving person. He was strong. He would stand to protect his friends," Daniel Gmys-Casiano told the Sentinel.
He's been dealing with hate all his life. We all have. I have. He never retaliated with hate. He was a very loving person. He was strong. He would stand to protect his friends.
- Jean Carlos Mendez Perez
Akyra Monet Murray
Age 18
The star student was due to attend Mercryhurst College on a basketball scholarship.
Akyra Monet
Murray
Akyra Monet Murray had just graduated third in her senior class from Philadelphia's West Catholic Prep High School. A 1,000 point scorer, she led the girls' basketball team in scoring for the past two seasons and had just signed a letter of intent to play at Mercyhurst College, where she received a full athletic scholarship. She was "a natural leader" with a "shining personality," her coach, Beulah Osueke, said in a statement.
Akyra went to Orlando to celebrate graduation with her family. On Saturday, she told her parents she wanted to party in downtown Orlando and they dropped her off at Pulse, according to the Associated Press. At about 2 a.m., the phone rang.
"She was saying she was shot and she was screaming, saying she was losing a lot of blood," Akyra's mom, Natalie Murray, told the AP. She hid from the shooter in a bathroom stall, bleeding for hours with no medical treatment, Natalie said.
She was the shooter's youngest victim.
Miguel Angel Honorato
Age 30
"He was my mentor and my supporter."
Miguel Angel
Honorato
Miguel Honorato was a restaurant manager who ran several restaurants around central Florida along with a catering business. He leaves behind three children and seven siblings, according to the Associated Press.
"He was my mentor and my supporter," Miguel's brother Jose Honorato told the AP. On Monday, he changed his Facebook photo to one of the two of them smiling and cooking together over a charcoal grill.
I have one message for those families in Florida: I am sorry. I am so, so sorry. I am sorry that our tragedy here in Sandy hook wasn't enough to save your loved ones. I tried and I won't stop trying. Don't you dare even listen to even ONE person who may insinuate that somehow this is your loved ones fault because they were gay or any other reason. Nor is it God's wrath. They did that to us on Sandy Hook, too. And it broke my heart. You will receive love from a million places. Embrace it. Take good care of yourself. This will be a forever journey.
Nelba Márquez-Greene, mother of 6-year-old killed in Sandy Hook Elementary School
Shane Evan Tomlinson
Age 33
Shane played in a band called Frequency.
Shane Evan
Tomlinson
Shane Evan Tomlinson sang in the band, Frequency. His bandmate Ginelle Morales said she learned of his death after an "excruciating" day-long wait.
"You just don't think that you're not gonna see the person again the next day. You've gotta thank God every day for your life," Ginelle said.
Yilmary Rodriguez Solivan
Age 24
"Her laughter brought a smile to your heart."
Yilmary
Rodriguez Solivan
Yilmary "Mary" Rodriguez Sulivan, leaves behind two children, according to a GoFundMe page set up by her sister.
Her two boys, Jariel and Sergio, were the "light of her eyes," her sister wrote.
"She was the most loving and caring person you could ever meet, her smile lit up the room and her laughter brought a smile to your heart," her sister said.
Angel L. Candelario-Padro
Age 28
"We're waiting for his body to be brought home. We will welcome him with music."
Angel L.
Candelario-Padro
Angel L. Candelario-Padro was a music lover who played clarinet in a band back in his hometown of Guanica, Puerto Rico, his uncle Efrain Padro told the Associated Press.
"We're waiting for his body to be brought home," he told the AP. "We will welcome him with music."
In a Facebook post, Angel said he wanted to live "life completely."
Leroy Valentin Fernandez
Age 25
Leroy had just landed a new job as a leasing agent.
Leroy
Valentin Fernandez
Leroy Valentin Fernandez had just landed a job as a leasing agent for an Orlando apartment building, his friend Jennifer Rodriguez told the Associated Press.
"He had finally found something he liked. He was taking care of his mom," she said.
Leroy started off as Jennifer's hair stylist, but became one of her best friends. He "was like a brother," she told the AP.
He was at Pulse with Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado, a dancer he'd recently started seeing. Xavier, 35, is also among the dead.
Paul Terrell Henry
Age 41
The father of two loved to dance.
Paul Terrell
Henry
Paul Terrell Henry was a Chicago native who loved to dance and have a good time, the Orlando Sentinel reported. He had two children, and his daughter just graduated from high school.
Henry's boyfriend Francisco Hernandez told the Orlando Sentinel that he is going to go back to school because that's what Henry would have wanted.
"He knew I had the potential for greater things,'' Hernandez told the Sentinel. He said what he will miss most about Henry is his smile.
"I miss him. I love him,'' he said.
Antonio Davon Brown
Age 29
He was an Army Reservist, with several honors to his name.
Antonio
Davon Brown
Army CPT Antonio Davon Brown was from Cocoa Beach, Florida. According to his official U.S. Army record, he was an Army Reservist. He was an ROTC cadet at Florida A&M University from 2004 to 2008. He was deployed to Kuwait from April 2010 to March 2011, and his latest assignment was as a “TPU soldier," meaning he was serving part-time.
He received several honors during his time serving in the Army. These awards included: Army Achievement Medal X 2, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon Meritorious Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Overseas Service Ribbon, and Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ "M" Device Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal.
Franky Jimmy Dejesus Velazquez
Age 50
"Everyone wanted to be around him."
Franky Jimmy
Dejesus Velazquez
Franky Jimmy Dejesus Velazquez is the oldest confirmed victim. He was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and lived in Orlando.
"He was a very outgoing, friendly person," Bret Werner told the Associated Press. Werner worked with Franky at a clothing store in Miami. "Everyone wanted to be around him."
Among family and friends in his native Puerto Rico, he was known for Jibaro folk dancing, said his sister, Shiela De Jesus. "He was a very loved person."
In 2012, Franky wrote on Facebook: "Sometimes things aren't the same as we want or understand each other, but they are always as we need them."
Luis S. Vielma
Age 22
Luis S. Vielma worked on the "Harry Potter and the Hidden Journey" ride at Universal Studio. The ride was shut down after this weekend's shooting to honor his memory.
Luis S. Vielma
Luis S. Vielma worked on the "Harry Potter and the Hidden Journey" ride at Universal Studio. The ride was shut down after this weekend's shooting to honor his memory.
"He was a Gryffindor. He was a kid," Luis' team said in a statement. "He was always a friend you could call," Luis' co-worker Josh Boesch told the Orlando Sentinel. "He was always open and available."
"Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling tweeted that she couldn't stop crying when she heard of Luis' death.
Kimberly Morris
Age 37
"I can't think of a time when I did not see a smile on her face."
Kimberly
Morris
Kimberly "KJ" Morris had just recently moved to Orlando, and started working at Pulse as a bouncer, the Orlando Sentinel reported. Her former college girlfriend, Starr Shelton, told the paper that Kimberly was "thrilled to get more involved in the LGBT community there."
"I can't think of a time when I did not see a smile on her face," she said. "I'm so thankful of the good memories I have of her. This is just unreal."
The guilt of being alive is heavy
There were many more victims than the 49 who died. For more than 50 people, a night meant for dancing, drinking and laughing ended in a hospital room. One of those injured was Patience Carter, a 20-year-old NYU student from Philadelphia who was shot in the leg. Here, she shares a poem she wrote from her hospital room. "It's part of my healing process," she said.
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