PLACERVILLE, Calif. — It's been said that tragedy brings people together.
That sense of community was on display Thursday night as strangers showered Rochelle Lopez and her family with love and support during a candlelight vigil at the El Dorado County Court House.
The vigil was in honor of her son, 11-year-old Roman Lopez, was found dead two weeks ago after being reported missing.
The Lopez's, who are from Wisconsin, have spent the past week in California. The vigil was planned for the night before they return.
In a written statement, read aloud by a family friend, Lopez thanked the community for their kindness, adding they can continue to do one thing to support her family, "Cherish your loved ones, forgive often, and love with all of your heart," the statement read.
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Lopez's message brought Placerville resident Cherly Dorosh to tears.
"It's definitely something to live by," Dorosh said. "We forget to do that, and you never know when your last day might be."
Roman was discovered dead nearly two weeks ago, several hours after being reported missing. Roman had been living in Placerville with his father, stepmother, and several other children for a few weeks at the time of his mysterious death.
Neighbors in El Dorado County who are still shocked by Roman's death say his, and his mother's, story touched them.
"I wanted to support this young lady who's been through a whole bunch of stuff," said Dustin Weland, a Placerville resident. "She's a veteran. She's had ptsd. Her life has not has been easy, and she loses her kid. And now this."
Rochelle told ABC10 she last saw Roman more than two years ago, after a custody agreement with his father fell apart. A family spokesperson says before Rochelle could file an order contempt, she checked herself into a rehabilitation facility to weaned off prescription medications from open hear surgery. It stemmed from medical issues following from her tour of service in Iraq in 2009.
Though an autopsy is complete, investigators are keeping details close to the chest. They say releasing information would jeopardize their investigation.
The Placerville Police Department said it will be weeks before it has the pathologist report in hand, and it will not be be sharing details of Roman's autopsy.
"We have full faith in the law enforcement, and we know what they're doing is for a reason, and it's to bring justice to Roman," said Kristin Jabs-Ellenburg, a Californian who has stepped in as the Lopez family spokesperson.
Jabs-Ellenburg said arraignments have been made to fly Roman's remains back to Wisconsin.
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(A correction was made to this article clarifying Rochelle Lopez's custody status.)
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