Family, friends mourn murdered east valley woman
Wendy Vargas, 19, of Thermal was found dead in her mother’s home Thursday and now family and friends are forced to mourn Vargas’ death through the holiday season.
According to Melissa Vargas, Wendy’s sister, she was found dead inside their mother’s home.
The Riverside County Sheriffs Department is investigating the death as a homicide.
Melissa Vargas said Wendy had no enemies, no gang affiliation, and was not involved with anything illegal or suspicious.
And she says Wendy Vargas was a hard working woman who took classes at College of the Desert and worked at Kohl’s department store in La Quinta.
“She was very loving. She was an amazing person and she was like the light of the party,” Vargas said.
“It’s too unbelievable. I still can’t wrap my head around it,” said Aliyah Delgado, one of Wendy Vargas’ close friends. They met while attending Shadow Hills High School.
The family is left with many questions. Melissa Vargas said she doesn’t even know exactly how her sister died. Now the family is forced to plan a funeral when they would normally be planning Christmas fun.
“The day of the viewing is on the 26th, so it is right next to Christmas. The day that we bury her and everything is on the 27th. So it is kind of hard for all of us since the holidays and all that are coming up right now,” Vargas said.
The family is looking for donations to cover funeral costs. Vargas’ mother raises two other kids on her own. They’re also hoping someone comes forward with information on Vargas’ death.
“It would really be helpful to the family. They need that closure. I mean they are putting their daughter, cousin and friend to rest next week and it’s something that is very important,” Delgado said.
Anyone who would like to make donations can do so through a GoFundMe page.
Anyone with information regarding Perez’s death is asked to contact Investigator Ortega at the sheriff’s Thermal station at (760) 863-8990 or Investigator Dickey at the Central Homicide Unit at (951) 955-2777.
JOE GALLI IS ON FACEBOOK AND ON TWITTER @JOEGALLINEWS
