PHOENIX (AZ Family) — Two Valley teenagers were found dead from apparent carbon monoxide poisoning Tuesday in a tragic accident in Chandler.

Romeo Alvarez’s family is in shock. It is said that Alvarez’s father died when he was a baby and this motivated him to fill his father’s shoes, step around the house and take care of his mother and younger sisters.

Wearing his favorite superhero costume under his cap and gown, the 18-year-old embodied Spider-Man as he spoke at Dobson High School’s graduation in May, giving a special shout-out to his mother.

“I always strive to be the best in everything I do, and that’s because she always pushes me to give 130 percent,” he said during his graduation speech.

Alvarez’s family says he was top of his class and earned his EMT certification in high school.

They say he received a travel scholarship to ASU and recently moved into a dorm.

He was about to fulfill several big dreams.

“Whatever he did, he held himself to a high standard,” Eilian Castaneda said.

He says Alvarez was his cousin, but they grew up as brothers.

Although Castaneda is older, he looked up to Alvarez, admiring his drive and ambition.

“Everyone he met left a very bright and inspiring impact,” Castaneda said.

Family members said Sunday that they were all together celebrating Alvarez’s mother’s birthday.

Later that night, he went to a friend’s house but never came home.

When no one could reach him Monday, the family reported Alvarez missing to Chandler and ASU police.

“Oh yeah, it’s whatever. He is 18 years old. He will call you when he calls you. There was no worry behind it,” Castaneda said of her family’s interactions with police.

The family tracked Alvarez to an apartment complex in Chandler near Ray Road and Arizona Avenue thanks to cell phone location data.

And around 3 a.m., police found him and a 17-year-old friend there, dead in a garage.

The family believes they died of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning.

“If they’ve been sitting in that garage, you know, who knows how long, with the car running and hanging out listening to music and the time goes by fast, you know, and no air, maybe the windows up, who knows. I have no idea,” Castaneda said.

Many questions remain as detectives investigate what happened, but those close to Alvarez hope others learn to never drive a car while in a garage.

“Carbon monoxide can take you in seconds, maybe minutes,” Castaneda said.

A The GoFundMe page has been set up to help with Alvarez’s funeral expenses.

A note sent to families at Chandler High School identifies 17-year-old Marcus Lee as the other person who died of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning.

Chandler police confirm he was reported missing by his family on Monday before the teenagers were found on Tuesday.

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