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    • Loved ones mourn ASU freshman found dead in Chandler garage
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    Loved ones mourn ASU freshman found dead in Chandler garage

    Online Niel Posted on

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    Friends and family mourned the loss of Romeo Elias Alvarez on Wednesday.

    The 18-year-old was found dead about 24 hours after he was reported missing by his mother, Selena Preciado, who did not hear from him after a family party, according to family friend Andrea Varelas.

    Around 3 a.m. Tuesday, a concerned person signaled Chandler police officials near Arizona Avenue and Ray Road to ask to check a garage at a nearby apartment complex.

    Upon opening the garage, a patrol officer discovered Alvarez and a 17-year-old male dead inside. Police have not identified the second teenager.

    The preliminary investigation suggested that their deaths were accidental.

    “Our dear Romeo has unexpectedly left us,” Varelas wrote on a GoFundMe she set up Tuesday, sharing about Alvarez’s untimely death and upcoming funeral services.

    “He was a bright young man who had his whole life ahead of him,” Varelas said.

    Alvarez’s aunt had called Varelas Tuesday morning to tell Valeras he had been found.

    Alvarez was a freshman at Arizona State University studying pre-med. Friends described him as smart, funny, outgoing — the “icebreaker” of the group.

    “He always brought people together,” Varelas said.

    Varelas met Alvarez’s mother in middle school and hit it off immediately.

    “We had a mutual love and respect for each other,” Varelas said of her friend, “Our children grew up together.”

    Valeras’ son, Adrian Duarte, 20, was close to Alvarez.

    “They became best friends, trusted each other and grew up together,” she said.

    They had recently gone to a Schoolboy Q concert in July to celebrate Duarte’s birthday.

    They played basketball, listened to music and played Xbox “religiously,” according to Valeras.

    Valeras and Duarte spent the day with Alvarez’s family after learning the horrible news.

    “You want to say so much, but you just don’t know what to say because it’s so new,” Valeras said, “It’s always been them, my friend and her kids, and she’s done everything for these kids, so it’s like a whole part of it has completely disappeared.”

    Valeras posted details on the GoFundMe page on how to help support the family, with the last line stating, “Our wish is nothing more than to rest Romeo in peace as we continue to honor his memory.”

    “It’s hard. No parent should have to bury their child,” Varelas said, “And his mother is right up there.”

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