Support Diego's Family After Tragic Loss

Hi, my name is Geysi Giron, known as Ms. G at work. I work at East New York Family Academy. There’s a corner deli that I visit daily, it’s also frequented not by my students and staff. This is where I met Diego about a year ago. I ordered a raisin bagel, he turned around and smiled- his eyes brightened because I ordered in Spanish—his language. We immediately struck up a conversation about our nationalities and work.

Diego Rodrigo Sandoval Nava proudly introduced himself. Born and raised in Mexico, he had two beautiful children, his princess Fernanda and his champ Erick. He loved his children dearly and often expressed how much he missed them. Diego called them daily and played Fortnite with Erick every day. He missed he missed them dearly, he would buy 2 lego sets, he would send one to his son and he kept one, this way he could video call Erick and built the lego together. ( this details about him tells the kind of father he was. He made the hard decision to leave his family and migrate to the USA 6 years ago- he lost his job and his son needed multiple surgeries to correct his harelip.

Diego was a very pleasant and respectful man. He loved his job and was so proud to man the kitchen area on his own— "I know it doesn’t seem like much for a lot of people, but for me, it is something to be proud of because I can provide for my family in Mexico."

August 2023 , Diego lost his dad due to post-surgery complications. His dad had a heart operation and needed care. Diego, after working 10-12 hours, would go to the hospital and sleep with his dad for weeks. He loved his dad. His dad passed away, and Diego covered all the expenses to repatriate the body to Mexico. Diego's mom had to receive her beloved one and only husband.

On August 1st, 2025, tragedy struck this family in such a way that aches my heart. Diego was fatally stabbed at the same place he loved working in. An angry customer (a month later, we are just learning that this should have not been on the streets) stabbed him multiple times. Diego was protecting and defending the 18-year-old cashier that worked together everyday. He was very fond on this young man. They were both teaching each other’s language. (Diego was proud to count up to 15 in Arabic)

Diego’s kindness and act of bravery cost him his life. Diego’s mother will receive her beloved son’s cadaver. The children, the young sister, and his mom—all Diego had in his life—will now have to endure this pain. This fundraiser is for his children and mother who is raising them, now with the help and support of Diego’s cousins.

Diego was the sole provider for his family.

Updates: https://www.lasrosasfh.com/obituary/Diego-SandovalNava

(this was only for his closest family members- no wake was done in NY)

Funds have been transferred to Diego’s cousin, the one in charge of all expenses, including repatriation to Mexico- wake and burial expenses in Mexico City and Morelos .

Please, if you find it in yourself to help, any amount will help cover all expenses here and in Mexico. Please help Diego’s family.

Thank you!

Sincerely ,

Ms. G

——————————————————————

Hola, mi nombre es Geysi Giron, conocida como Ms.G en la escuela donde trabajo. En la deli de la esquina que visito casi a diario para cortar café o sandwiches es frecuentada no solo por mí, sino por todo el personal y los estudiantes. Aquí es donde conocí a Diego hace aproximadamente un año. Pedí un bagel de pasas tostado con queso crema y gelly, le repetí que tueste el bagel y volteo y Sonrió, sus ojos se iluminaron porque pedí en español- su idioma. Inmediatamente entablamos una conversación sobre nuestras nacionalidades y trabajo.

Diego Rodrigo Sandoval Nava se presentó con orgullo. Nacido y criado en México, tuvo dos hermosos hijos, su princesa Fernanda y su campeón Erick( así se refería de ellos siempre sonriendo) Amaba mucho a sus hijos y a menudo expresaba cuánto los extrañaba. Diego los llamaba todos los días y jugaba a Fortnite con Erick todos los días. Tomó la difícil decisión de dejar a su familia y emigrar a los Estados Unidos debido a la pérdida de su trabajo y su hijo que necesitaba múltiples cirugías. Diego era un joven muy agradable y respetuoso. Amaba su trabajo y estaba muy orgulloso de ser el que hacía los sandwich y era por su cuenta, dijo: "Sé que no parece mucho para mucha gente, pero para mí, es algo de lo que estar orgulloso porque puedo mantener a mi familia en México".

En agosto de 2024, Diego perdió a su padre debido a complicaciones posteriores a la cirugía. Su padre tuvo una operación de corazón y necesitaba atención. Diego, después de trabajar 10-12 horas, iba al hospital y dormía con su padre durante semanas. Quería compensar todo el tiempo que había perdido con su padre porque él también los había dejado en México cuando era adolescente. Su papa era su héroe .

Su padre falleció, y Diego cubrió todos los gastos para repatriar el cuerpo a México. La madre de Diego tuvo que recibir a su único y querido esposo.

El 1 de agosto de 2025, la tragedia golpeó a esta familia de tal manera que me duele el corazón. Diego fue apuñalado fatalmente en el mismo lugar en el que le encantaba trabajar. Un cliente enojado lo apuñaló varias veces. Diego estaba protegiendo y defendiendo al cajero de 18 años que no sabía cómo reaccionar ante los clientes enojados y intoxicados.

Su acto de valentía le costó la vida. Ahora, exactamente un año después, la madre de Diego recibirá el cadáver de su querido hijo. Los niños, la hermana pequeña y su madre, todo lo que Diego tuvo en su vida, ahora tendrán que soportar este dolor.

Por favor, si lo encuentras en ti mismo para ayudar, cualquier cantidad ayudará a cubrir todos los gastos aquí y en México. Por favor, ayuda a la familia de Diego.

¡Gracias!

En luto,

Ms. G