4 children orphaned after mother, father die one week apart in separate incidents

Four children were orphaned when their father was shot dead outside a California bar, only a week after their mother was killed in an ice cave collapse in Washington state.

Adrian Cardona left a San Bernardino, Calif. bar on July 12 following a reported argument with a woman. A short time later, surveillance video caught bar patrons helping to push Cardona's car out of the parking lot. Soon after, the 35-year-old was shot and killed.

Cardona was the father of four children with Annalisa Santana, the woman killed when an ice cave collapsed in Washington state July 6.

"It is definitely a difficult time for the family. We are definitely mourning," Cardona's brother Carlos Cardona said.

The children, two boys and two girls, range in age from 1 to 14, family friend Rachelle Randle told the Press Enterprise.

"This is a nightmare," she said.

Santana's death was ruled an accident. Five others were injured in the partial collapse of the Big Four Ice Caves, including Santana's brother and fiance.

Santana's cousin Sandy Gomez told ABC affiliate KOMO that she was a beautiful person who lived for her children.

"She had the biggest heart. No matter who it was or where it was, she just gave," Gomez said.

Cardona had a criminal record, including being convicted of battery on a spouse or co-habitant, according to San Bernardino County Superior Court records.

He had spoken to his children every day since the accident, but hadn't been able to go up to Washington, Randle said.

"He loved his kids," she said.

The children have a large extended family network taking care of them, but they need the public's prayers and support, Randle added.

A GoFundMe page was started to help pay expenses for Santana's funeral. The family of Adrian Cardona also set up a GoFundMe page to cover his funeral and help the family.

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call San Bernardino Police Department at (909) 384-5965.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.