Remembering Jocelyn Nungaray: A Community Mourns the Loss of a Young Girl
Hundreds of people gathered on Friday night in Houston, Texas, for a vigil to honor the memory of Jocelyn Nungaray. The young girl was tragically murdered and her body dumped in a creek in north Houston. Among those in attendance were Jocelyn’s grieving family, Mayor John Whitmire, acting HPD Chief Larry Satterwhite, Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale, and some of her closest friends.
Jocelyn’s friends spoke fondly of her, describing her as a great friend who always made everyone feel included. Olivia Stevens, one of her close friends, shared, “Jocelyn, she was such a great friend, and she always made everyone feel included.” The pain and loss were palpable as the community came together to remember a young life cut short.
A group of five girls who were classmates with Jocelyn at Gordan-Reed Elementary traveled from Conroe to attend the vigil. They shared videos and pictures, memories that filled their preteen phones. However, on this somber evening, the giggles and goofy dances were replaced with a mix of emotions – anger, sadness, and heartbreak. Abby Bohanon, one of Jocelyn’s classmates, expressed her disbelief, saying, “It’s just hard to understand. It’s hard to believe that such a sweet little girl is gone.” Catherine Musoni echoed the sentiment, tearfully expressing her desire to be there for Jocelyn.
These girls are only 12 years old, and the weight of such a tragedy is difficult for them to bear. Bohanon emphasized how young they all are and how no one should have to go through something like this at their age. Sophia Johnson added, “It’s just crazy. It’s hard to comprehend.” The loss of Jocelyn, who always had a smile on her face and shared her dreams with her friends, has left a deep void in their lives. Belen Pereira fondly recalled Jocelyn’s positivity and contagious smile.
As these young girls navigate the summer months, they are acutely aware that the upcoming 7th grade will be even more challenging without Jocelyn by their side. Their focus now is on supporting Jocelyn’s family and keeping her memory alive. Olivia Stevens expressed their collective sentiment, saying, “We’re praying for her and her family, and we just want to support them.”
The tragic story of Jocelyn Nungaray serves as a somber reminder of the preciousness of life and the impact one person can have on those around them. As the community mourns the loss of this young girl, their resilience and support for one another are a testament to the strength of human compassion.
