Archive | candlelight vigil

2 Years Ago Lilly’s Life Changed Forever

By on June 20, 2009 in anniversary, candlelight vigil, City of Miami Police, disappearance, Joe Carrillo, justice march, Lilly Aramburo, Lucely Aramburo, MDPD, Miami Florida, missing mother, missing person, murder, Twitter

Lily’s case remains unsolved but our resolve to find her is unwavering. We remain strong, focused and working very hard to find answers.

Sunday, May 31st, 2009, we had a Justice March and Candle-light vigil to mark the 2 year anniversary of Lily’s disappearance. Lily’s family, friends and supporters met at Cocowalk. We put on our white T-shirts, held signs and passed out Lily’s missing person posters. It was a cloudy day with bits of rain (Maybe the reason why media didn’t show?) but there was plenty of traffic and movement in the Grove. I felt sick at heart watching Lily’s mother, Lucely that day, and Lilly’s elderly grandmother with Lilly’s little boy, Palden sitting innocently in his stroller.
Lucely, Lily Aramburo's mom
Lucely, Lilly’s mother
WHAT IF

About an hour later we marched through the streets of Coconut Grove, five blocks to the location where we held the vigil; steps away from where we believe Lily’s life was taken. We didn’t know what to expect. But as our group approached 3440 Percival Ave, a City of Miami police officer arrived and parked his police car down the block. He was friendly and cooperative and stayed until the end.

Night began to fall. Lucely said a few words and thanked everyone for their support and prayers, (I tried my best to translate) candles were passed out and Lily’s grandmother said a prayer. Afterward, we had a balloon release with the help of Palden, Lilly’s 2 year old son. He released purple balloons and said “I love you mom” and “we miss you”. He’s a big boy now and is well aware of Lily’s absence.

On behalf of Lily’s family and friends please accept our heartfelt thanks to each and every person who came out and shared this moment with us. I would like to thank Private Investigator Joe Carrillo, whose continued efforts and commitment we’re so grateful for. Thank you for caring and keeping her case moving forward! Thanks to everyone who has helped in the fight to find Lily. (Including my Twitter friends, Facebook community!) Thank you to each and every person, who continues to visit this blog, your messages of encouragement and prayers give us strength during this very difficult time. We are forever indebted to you.

Please check back as we update information. Your continued support is critical to bring Lilly home! We will not let Lily’s story go away. Together we will find our missing loved ones!

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Thank You Miami Herald Crime Scene Blog!

By on May 30, 2009 in anniversary, candlelight vigil, Crime Scene Blog, disappearance, Lilly Aramburo, Lucely Aramburo, MDPD, Miami Herald, Miami New Times, murder, Silent March

Candle vigil to mark young mother’s disappearance to be held in Coconut Grove

From Lily

Lucely “Lilly” Aramburo, 25, was last seen June 1, 2007.

She is the mother of a two-year-old boy named Palden, and has a history of drug abuse and mental illness.

Her mother Lucely Zalvidar told a New Times reporter that while growing up in Miami she had run away from home, and had made attempts to commit suicide .

Local activists are organizing a candle vigil at 6 p.m., on May 31st, at 35 Percial Avenue, in Coconut Grove to mark the two year anniversary of her disappearance. More information at the Justice in Miami blog.

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Thank You Coconut Grove Grapevine!

By on May 30, 2009 in candlelight vigil, Coconut Grove Grapevine, Francisco Alvarado, Lilly Aramburo, Lucely Aramburo, MDPD, Miami-Dade, missing mother, Silent March

Vigil and March planned for missing Lucely Aramburo

There will be a candlelight vigil and silent march tomorrow, to commemorate missing mother, Lucely “Lily” Aramburo on the two year anniversary of her disappearance.

On June 1, 2007, Lilly Aramburo, 23, left her ex boyfriends house in the middle of the night, never to be seen again. The Miami Dade Police Department’s detectives failed to interview Christen Pacheco, Kelly Starling, and “EJ” who were present when Lily disappeared.The march will start at 6 pm at CocoWalk, tomorrow, May 31. The march will go to 3440 Percival Avenue.

Francisco Alvarado, of the New Times, was the first to report on the disappearance last September.More info on the vigil and march at the Justice in Miami Blog.

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Thank You Frank Alvarado and Miami New Times!

By on May 30, 2009 in candlelight vigil, disappearance, Francisco Alvarado, investigation, Joe Carrillo, Lilly Aramburo, Lucely Aramburo, MDPD, Miami New Times, murder, social media

Two Years Later: Lilly Aramburo Remains Missing
By Francisco Alvarado
Friday, May. 29 2009

It has been close to a year since I wrote my cover story about Lilly Aramburo, a 24-year-old single mother and drug addict who disappeared from her boyfriend’s apartment June 1, 2007. Today, there is still no trace of her, but friend Janet Forte presses on with her social media crusade to find out what happened to Aramburo.

There has been some progress. Joe Carrillo, a private investigator who helped Miami Police nab the Shenandoah Rapist, volunteered to help Forte track down leads. On a recent afternoon, Carillo met with me to give an update on his investgation, which he is doing free of charge.

A former bodyguard for Latin boy pop band Menudo, Carrillo stands over six feet tall and has a gleaming bald head à la Kojak.

He informed me he believes Christen Pacheco, Aramburo’s boyfriend, had nothing to do with her disappearance. “He was telling the truth when he said Lilly left his apartment after they got into an arguement,” Carrillo notes.

Carrillo says he interviewed two of Aramburo’s friends, who told him about a house at 35 Percival Ave. in Coconut Grove, at the time a known flop house where Aramburo and her pals smoked crack. Carrillo says he recieved another tip that Aramburo, after leaving Pacheco’s apartment, went to that house where she was allegedly killed by three individuals she knew, including a drug dealer who has a murder conviction.

I’ve chosen not to disclose their names until I’ve had an opportunity to verify Carrillo’s claims.

Carrillo says he provided the names of the three men to Miami-Dade Police detectives investigating Aramburo’s disappearance on four occassions. “They haven’t done squat,” Carrillo says.

This Sunday at 6 p.m., Forte will lead a march from CocoWalk to 35 Percival Ave., where she will hold a candlelight vigil in Aramburo’s honor. 

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Justice March and Vigil for Lily Sunday in Miami

By on May 29, 2009 in candlelight vigil, Coconut Grove, disappearance, Lilly Aramburo, Lucely Aramburo, Miami New Times, Miami-Dade, Miami-Dade County Florida, missing mother, Silent March, vigil

The South Florida community and local media is invited to join us this Sunday for a Silent March and Candle light Vigil for Lilly Aramburo. Please see the media alert below.

MEDIA ALERT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, 29 May 2009

Candlelight Vigil and Silent March to commemorate missing mother, Lucely “Lily” Aramburo on the 2 year anniversary of her disappearance

(Miami, Florida, May 29, 2009) On June 1, 2007, Lilly Aramburo a single mother 23 years of age left her ex boyfriends house, a known heroin user, shortly after 2 AM never to be seen again. The Miami Dade Police Department’s detectives failed to interview Christen Pacheco, Kelly Starling, and “EJ” who were present when Lily disappeared.

Only after an article in the Miami New Times in September 2008 was Christen Pacheco interviewed. A private investigator who volunteered to help in Lily’s disappearance has developed a theory that Lily lost her life the night she disappeared in a crack house in Coconut Grove. The investigator has had 4 meetings with the Miami Dade Detectives providing details of the location as well as suspects in Lily’s disappearance/murder. To this day, the Miami Dade Police Department has done nothing to solve the case.

This Sunday, May 31, 2009, we will hold a vigil commemorating the second anniversary of Lily’s disappearance. The vigil will be held at the location where it is believed she lost her life. Names and details of the suspects in the case will be provided in the hopes that someone in the Coconut Grove community will come forward with information. Six months have passed since this information was provided to the Miami Dade Police Department with no results.

Come join us to commemorate and pray for Lily and her family.
Sunday, May 31st, 2009 at 6pm

The march will begin in Cocowalk to
3440 PERCIVAL AVENUE, COCONUT GROVE, FL.

Information about the vigil can be found at the following websites:

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Candlelight Vigil and Silent March for Lily Aramburo’s 2 Year Anniversary

By on May 6, 2009 in anniversary, candlelight vigil, facebook, Florida, Lilly Aramburo, Lucely Aramburo, media, MIami Dade Police, missing mother, missing person, Silent March, South Florida, Twitter
Community to Hold a Silent March and Candle light Vigil for the 2nd Year Anniversary of Lilly Aramburo’s disappearance.

What: Justice for Lily Candlelight Vigil and Silent March
When: Sunday May 31st at 6pm
Where: 3440 Percival Ave Coconut Grove, FL 33133 Map
Why: It’s been exactly 2 years since Lilly vanished. We need to find Lilly and we need the person(s) responsible to be brought to justice!
Sunday May 31st, the South Florida community is invited to attend a candlelight vigil and silent march in memory of my friend, Lilly Aramburo, a young mother missing from Miami since 2007. Beginning at 6pm (Eastern time), Lilly Aramburo’s mother, Lucely will lead the crowd in a Justice for Lilly silent march in front of the house it is believed Lily may have lost her life.

The purpose of the silent demonstration is to grab the public’s attention for a short time on the two year anniversary of Lilly’s disappearance to make everyone aware that Lilly is still missing, and we are still looking for answers. We understand that Lilly isn’t the only loved one that’s missing. There are many missing persons in South Florida and thousands across the country. We are remembering them and their families on this special occasion, as well. Anyone with a missing loved one is urged to attend the event and bring a photo or flyer to share. Let us stand together in solidarity.

Family and friends will peacefully deliver a powerful message to Miami Dade Police Department that Lilly deserves justice, she deserves to be found. Lilly has not been forgotten by her family and friends and she shouldn’t be forgotten by the community where she lived. We’d like to see Miami Dade Police take meaningful action. Please show your support by joining Lilly’s family and friends. Help us seek JUSTICE FOR LILLY!

I realize few of you (loyal readers) live in the Miami area, if you are unable to be there in person, we ask you to have Lilly in your thoughts and prayers while the vigil is going on. Please join us in spirit by lighting a candle for Lily (where ever you are). But to those who live in South Florida, we’d love the chance to see you in person to thank you for your support and commitment to finding Lilly these past 2 years. Although it will be a very hard day for all of us, spending it together will help us heal in a small way.

Visitors are welcome to bring a candle to light for Lilly but it is not required. Please RSVP via Facebook or if you’re on Twitter, you can RSVP below.

Media is encouraged to attend.

We’d like to give very special thanks to Anita Hunt of Nita Joy Craft Design and author of “Are You Being Bullied” for creating the lovely flyer pictured above. Nita, you’re a star, thank you for your generosity! Nita graciously volunteered after responding to my tweet. (Pictured below ~ Note: read from bottom to top)


Nita’s reply was a complete surprise. As you can see, the exchange was short and sweet. A few hours later, the flyer was done. It was that easy and carefree. So, if it’s a personalized greeting card or gift you need to help brighten someone’s day, please consider Nita Joy Craft Design. If you tweet, you can follow Nita on Twitter.

And finally, I’d like to thank Staples for donating flyers for Lilly. Thank you, Staples!! We appreciate all of your support.

Help us spread the word. Pass on the link to this post, tweet it, invite your friends on Facebook and email your network, if you have a blog inform your readers. We need your support now more than ever.

Hope to see all of you on Sunday, May 31st!

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Roses, Balloons and Prayers for Lilly Aramburo

By on November 16, 2008 in candlelight vigil, Lilly Aramburo, Lucely Aramburo, Miami, missing mother, missing person

We had an amazing vigil for Lilly today. Lucely, Lily’s mother came out with the baby (Lily’s 2 year old son) despite feeling ill & being feverish. She brought Lilly’s grandmother and cousin, too. We were so delighted to see them. Baby Palden has grown so much and he’s talking like crazy! He is identical to Lily. He’s super charismatic and gorgeous! He helped my girls make a heart in the sand made from yellow, pink and purple roses. (pictured above) We looked at Lily’s baby pictures & pictures of her growing up, released balloons, and dedicated prayers. It was all very harmonious.

Joe Carrillo, (the pi working her case) couldn’t make it due to a trial he’s preparing for tomorrow but he provided a prayer for me to read at the vigil. I read it and everyone stood in solidarity. Joe also requested for everyone to please pray for their efforts. (I’m asking too!) Here’s the prayer:

O, Blessed Mother and St Joseph,
you searched when your Son Jesus
disappeared when he was twelve.
You would not give up
until he was found.
You know the pain of having someone missing,
and the joy of finding them,
as you found your son.
Help those who are searching now,
to find the answers to their questions,
and an end to their searching.
Inspire people to be vigilant,
so that their eyes and ears
may see and hear news that will bring hope.
Comfort those who feel lonely and sad
because the one they love has vanished.
Be with them in the storm
and guide them in their efforts.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen

Isn’t it lovely? We’re very fortunate to have you on our side. Thank you so much, Joe.

I really appreciate each and everyone who came out to Miami Beach today to show your support and love for Lily. Thanks so much to Carmen for being there for us, you’re a godsend. For those who couldn’t make it, we’d be so grateful if you could please light a candle and dedicate a prayer for Lily. Thank you for your loving kindness and compassion on this special day.

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Birthday Vigil for Lilly Aramburo Sunday in Miami Beach

By on November 14, 2008 in birthday, candlelight vigil, Florida, Justice in Miami, Lilly Aramburo, Lucely Aramburo, missing mother, missing person, vigil


Dear friends,

Sunday, November 16th is Lilly’s birthday. She would have been turning 25 years old. Lilly has been heavy on my mind more than ever as time passes and she is yet to be found. It’s heartbreaking to know it’s been more than 16 months since we saw Lilly’s sweet smile or listened to her kind words. Her absence is felt every day by many who knew and loved her. It’s frustrating having no idea if or what the authorities are doing anymore. What we do know is her investigation was not handled as they should have in the beginning. Having to endure constant comments about adults having a right to go missing, Lilly’s case went cold fast. Every day more time passes without answers, without clues. Disillusioned by law enforcement, I place all my trust in karma. Justice will prevail.

Everyone is invited to join us this Sunday for a Birthday Vigil in Lilly’s honor on her 25th birthday ♥ in Miami Beach. We will gather on 80th Street & Collins Ave to celebrate Lilly’s life in the company of family and friends who love and miss her dearly. Bring a candle and a prayer, together we can start the healing process.

Sadly, life hasn’t been the same since June 2, 2007. It won’t ever be back to normal until the truth about what happened comes to light and the persons who did this are brought to justice. Lily will always remain in our hearts and minds. ♥Karma Drolkar, forever a yogini…(Yogini is an enlightened woman with spiritual powers and deep insight.)

WHAT: BIRTHDAY VIGIL FOR LILLY ARAMBURO
WHEN: SUNDAY, November 16th, 2008
WHERE: 80th Street and Collins Ave in Miami Beach, FL
By the water…

TIME: TBA

If you’re interested in attending, please let me know and I’ll make sure to keep you updated. If you cannot make it, (wherever you are) please light a candle and dedicate a prayer for Lilly.


Let Lilly’s name not be forgotten.

Thank you for your continued support.

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1st Annual Safety Awareness Event & Candlelight Vigil in honor of Lilly Aramburo

By on June 3, 2008 in candlelight vigil, Coconut Grove, Justice in Miami, Lilly Aramburo, Lucely Aramburo, missing adult, missing mother, vigil, volunteers

On Sunday, June 1st, 2008, Justice in Miami, Subliminal Pixels Lab and PK Graphics, sponsored a community safety event on the 1 year anniversary of Lilly Aramburo’s disappearance. The event was a success!

We listened to live music courtesy of Power 96. Safety information and ID kits were handed out to parents and children. Guests signed in to receive their ribbon and candle. We had the beautiful “Lilly” line of hats and headbands, for sale. They were designed and donated courtesy of Maggie’s Rose. You can see my girls and Havanna in the video wearing their hats. Everyone had something nice to say about them! If you’d like more information on the “Lilly” line, please feel free to go to the Maggie’s Rose website or contact us.

The butterfly ceremony/meditation was amazing. You could see the butterflies landing on our fingers and hands and the prayer flags in the background, blowing in the wind, releasing prayers for Lilly and all beings. A poem was read by Renea, Maya Angelou’s “Touched by an Angel”. And I read an excerpt from The Way of the Boddhisattva by Shantideva. We have a video clip of that below.

As a sign of solidarity with families of missing loved ones everywhere, Pastor Tony Isaacs led a special prayer. Our intention was that as each individual candle was added to the whole, it showed victims and their loved ones that there is a ray of hope.

All of the efforts were dedicated in honor of missing persons and victims everywhere, specifically, Lilly Aramburo, Heather “Kitty” Riggio, and Jennifer Kesse. Our aspiration is that they receive justice and the attention they deserve.

We’d like to extend a special thank you to our volunteers, (in no special order) Vivian, Renea, Sara, Delilah, Jamie, Hope Movement, the volunteers from Christ Fellowship, Pastor Tony Isaacs and all those who desire not to be mentioned (you know who you are!!) Thank you to our internet activists, our bloggers and friends in demanding justice…
And last but not least, a big hug and my sincere thanks to Bagua

THANK YOU! Your love and support helps us get through these difficult times. We stand with you in pride and gratitude. May you always live in truth and peace.

Although we had media present, only one channel and it’s affiliate played it on the news. Here is that clip from the vigil http://cbs4.com/video/?id=55873@wfor.dayport.com

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Messege from Lucely, Lilly’s mom

By on June 3, 2008 in candlelight vigil, Coconut Grove, Justice in Miami, Lilly Aramburo, Lucely Aramburo, Miami, missing adult, missing mother, palden

“Thank you for your support and encouragement that you brought to Lilly’s family and friends at the candle vigil. Also thank you to the people that could not be present but were involved in one way or another and who’s efforts were appreciated, you truly touched our hearts. Results have already been brought forward thanks to your passionate work and dedication. This is one step closer to finding Lilly and to bring her home.

God bless you and thank you again.”

Palden and Lucely

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Light a Candle for Lilly

By on June 1, 2008 in anniversary, candlelight vigil, Coconut Grove, community organizing, Florida, Justice in Miami, Lilly Aramburo, LillyAramburo, Miami, vigil


Tonight is Lilly’s Aramburo’s One Year Missing Vigil and even though all of us cannot physically attend, let’s be sure to keep Lilly, her family and those who have been working so hard at organizing this Vigil in our thoughts and/or prayers.

Great idea that I saw a member had posted on a missing persons forum, I’m quoting here…

Just a favor and a reminder.

Most of us here are not following the case of Lilly Aramburo, but she is a young Mom who’s been missing for a year tomorrow from Miami, FL. The cops did nothing for a year.

Tonight is her candlelight vigil.

Since we cannot attend, please consider lighting a candle for her where you are.

6pm eastern
5pm central
4pm mountain
3pm pacific
and so on

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Community Safety Awareness Event & Candlelight Vigil

By on May 26, 2008 in candlelight vigil, Coconut Grove, Florida, Justice in Miami, Lilly Aramburo, Lucely Aramburo, Miami, missing adult, tribute

Justice in Miami is hosting a Community Safety Awareness Event & Candlelight Vigil for the 1 Year Anniversary of Lilly’s disappearance. It will be held Sunday, June 1st, 2008 at Peacock Park in Coconut Grove, FL from 6PM-8PM.

Bring the whole family for a worthy cause, candlelight vigil, free safety I.D. kits for the little ones plus much more. The Power 96 Street Team will be there, spinning live music & giving away prizes.

If you are in Miami, please come out and join us. We are looking forward to meeting other families with missing loved ones. We will have a table set up with information and resources. This is an event you don’t want to miss.

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