“They'll always live in our hearts and that's the best way to remember them,” said Esmeralda Lopez.
Family members released white balloons to honor the 3-year-old boy and his 17-month-old sister. The children were killed by their mother, Aide Mendez, in a violent murder suicide. According to police Mendez also killed another relative, Paul Medina. She also shot and stabbed the children's father, Eduardo Lopez, who survived.
“Unfortunately he couldn't be here today, but his family is all praying. What more can you do?” said Albert Peña, the children’s uncle.
An iPad found at the scene had a video of Mendez and
An autopsy revealed Mendez had 10 times the toxic level of meth in her system when she shot her family.
You'll have euphoria, and you'll have irrational behavior, so you're not in touch with reality,” said Venu Gopal,
Friends say Mendez hadn't been well since the death of her oldest daughter in 2008. Whatever the motive, the victims’ family says what's important now is honoring Isaiah and Aaliyah.
“They're angels now and they're resting in peace,” said Lopez.