Community reaches out to murdered girl's siblings Community reaches out to murdered girl's siblings (December 24, 2003)

** No further clues in police investigation.

By David Boyce

Almanac Staff Writer

San Jose police say they are no further along in solving the case of the recent violent death of 17-year-old Menlo Park resident Maricela Alvarez, but at least her siblings are out from under the debt of paying for her burial.

In donations ranging from $2 to $250, people from Chico to Gilroy, including many from San Jose, contributed $5,238 as of December 19, said Denise Plante, principal of Redwood High School, where Maricela was a student. Maricela's family and Redwood and Menlo-Atherton high schools created the fund.

Maricela was attacked November 23 on an isolated street bordering Coyote Hellyer Park in San Jose. A Santa Clara County park ranger found her in her car, barely alive, with multiple gunshot wounds to her upper body. She was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.

The costs of her funeral were about $5,000, Ms. Plante said. A support group for bereaved victims of violent crime in Santa Clara County also contributed, she said.

"They're struggling," Ms. Plante said of Maricela's brother and sister. "She was the third contributor" to their household. Alberto, Maricela's brother, told Ms. Plante that their parents would be returning from Mexico.

In another gesture of support, Rosa Perez, president of Canada College in Woodside, pledged to help Maricela's older brother and sister with admission and counseling assistance, fees, books and tutors.

"We will not let them get lost in their transition," Ms. Perez told the Almanac. "I have assigned some very good people to work with them."

The KARA Team, a grief support organization based in Palo Alto, has been working with students and staff at the high schools and is looking for Spanish-speaking assistants. For more information, contact Jim Bronson at 321-5272 or jbrons@aol.com.

Meanwhile, the police investigation is continuing. There's been no progress in identifying Maricela's killer, said San Jose police spokeswoman Gina Tepoorten. Police are hoping that witnesses who may have been apprehensive will come forward, she said.

A reward of $10,000 is being offered that combines $5,000 from the city of San Jose and $5,000 from the Carole Sund/Carrington Foundation. The foundation raises awareness of the plight of victims of violent crime and offers rewards in the name of bereaved families.

To provide information that may help in the murder investigation, call (408) 277-5283.

Donations for the Alvarez family can still be sent to the Maricela Alvarez Family Fund, c/o Redwood High School, 1968 Old County Road, Redwood City, CA 94063. For more information, call 369-1411, ext. 7334.

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