South Valley Teen Remembered | ABC30 Fresno

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By ABC30

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Fresno, CA 17 year old Emilio Molina spent as much time as he could volunteering here at the Boys and Girls Club in Visalia. Family members want Emilio to not only be remembered for his smile and cheery demeanor, but for his service to the community.

Emilio Molina's mother sobbed as her son's body was brought into the Holy Family Catholic Church in Visalia. Emilio's siblings say their brother's death has brought unthinkable pain to their family.

Angel Moreno, Brother said, "It's hard, you know, for somebody like him to be taken from this world he was a good person".

Catalina Collavo, Sister said, "It's really hard our family's going through a hard time right now we have a loss of a brother and son for my mom so we're just really sad right now trying to get through it."

More than 300 people packed the church to say goodbye to the boys and girls club mentor who would have been a senior at Mount Whitney High this fall.

Police believe Emilio was beaten to death as he was walking to a friend's house just before midnight on June 28th. He died at a hospital in Fresno nearly ten days later.

As his family and friends cope with his death, they're left with questions as to who would murder such a giving community member.

Friends say Emilio would always be at the Boys and Girls Club and always made people smile.

Magdalena Sanchez from Visalia said, "I think he should be remembered for his smile he had a really good smile and the way he made people cheer up, you know. I bet right now he wouldn't want us crying".

Norma Figueroa from Visalia said "I love him and I'm going to miss him".

Visalia police don't have a suspect in Emilio's murder, but now said what looked like a Grey Chevy Impala with bright chrome rims was seen leaving the scene. Police also said a local Detective Agency received an anonymous $5,000 reward for anyone who provides information leading to the arrest of the suspect.