In a display of collective sorrow, the family and community members of 17-year-old Kaitlin Hernandez, marched for the second time yesterday to demand justice for her. Kaitlin's body was discovered on March 12, strangled, and abandoned naked in a ditch, according to KENS 5. With no significant updates from the police and her killer still at large, the family initiated this march to keep the memory of Kaitlin and the pursuit of her case in the public eye.
"She was just a 17-year-old about to graduate, she had dreams and goals and y’all took that from her," her aunt, Crystal Rodriguez, led the march, which was followed from a memorial site to Kaitlin's home, where she was alive just hours before being found dead, as reported by KENS 5.
According to KSAT, the San Antonio police initially responded to a missing person report and uncovered Kaitlin's personal items, including her phone and jacket, before locating her body under a bridge. Rodriguez expressed her frustration and grief: "It ain't fair that I'm standing right here while they're with their families right now, we have to do this fight for her to get justice, and they're at home relaxing."
Local pastor Johnny Vaughan shared with KENS 5 the contribution Kaitlin was beginning to make to her church community. "She had just started to help my wife with the Sunday school, she had a heart from an autistic boy who was with the church and she was really starting to blend in and be a blessing to us," he said, highlighting her recent connection to her faith and compassionate nature.
Kaitlin's alleged last companion, described as a neighborhood friend by KSAT, went on a walk with her the evening of her disappearance. However, the friend returned alone a few hours later and was taken in for questioning. No one has yet been charged in connection with the case, leaving a tear in the fabric of the community and Rodriguez questioning, "How can you sleep, how can you eat, how can you be with your family?".
The family's pain is echoed by the community and a sense of urgency permeates their actions, as Crime Stoppers offers a reward for information leading to an arrest. Anyone with knowledge of the case is advised to contact Crime Stoppers at 210-224-STOP, with the promise of anonymity.
