Family members of Rita Gutierrez-Garcia gathered in Longmont for a vigil a few days after police say a man already in their custody is a suspect in her death.
“I keep being told by so many of you how strong I am," said her mom, Diane Romero, to the crowd. "Today I’m not feeling it as much, maybe I’m just overwhelmed. But you guys you’ve all been my strength.”
Gutierrez-Garcia, a mother of three from Longmont, hasn't been seen since the night of St. Patrick's Day after partying with friends.
Police believe Juan Jose Figueroa, Jr. killed her and then fled to Mexico. He is currently behind bars facing sexual assault charges in another case but has not been charged in the Gutierrez-Garcia case.
Gutierrez-Garcia's family gathered Sunday afternoon to keep the hope alive that her body will be found.
"Unfortunately, it’s just a guessing game," said her brother, Omar Holguin after leading search efforts this morning in the woods west of Longmont.
He said he wants answers but can’t imagine finding her body.
"It's probably the worst feeling you could possibly have," he said.
Even though Rita Gutierrez-Garcia will never see them, her family wrote notes to hang on a tree in her memory.
One reads, "Mom come back soon. I miss you and love you. You will never be forgotten."
