My heart is broken as I share the loss of my niece, Xena Estrada. She passed away from what appears to be an overdose, a battle connected to the pain of mental illness that she carried for so long. We will never know the struggles she endured during her short 26 years of life. While this is how she left us, it is not who she wanted to be. She wanted to be a veterinarian and loved animals so much.

Xena was much more than her struggles. Those who knew Xena, will remember those bright blue eyes and her love for animals.

Mental illness and addiction are heavy burdens that Xena is no longer suffering through. We choose to honor that fight, but even more, we choose to honor the love, the kindness, and the memories that will stay with us forever.

As we grieve this devastating loss, we are also faced with planning a small funeral or memorial.

If you feel led to give, please know that every contribution—big or small—will help us lay Xena to rest with dignity. More than anything, we ask that you hold our family in your prayers, and that you remember Xena not for how she passed, but for how she was loved.

Forever in our hearts