The Surviving Children of Mariana

I am Veronica Escamilla-Brady. Many of you know me as a friend, colleague, content creator, or random voice online. It is with utter disbelief and tremendous sadness that I tell you that my sister, Mariana, was murdered by men in the cartel in front of her children in August 2022. My niece, Kimberly, age 11, was also shot at the time. Kimberly will survive and is now recovering at home, but the horrific events will likely stay in her memory for the rest of her life.

My sister lived with her three children in Guanajuato, Mexico, in what is normally a safe city. Like many victims of cartel violence, she was in the wrong place at the wrong time when the cartel were looking for someone else. My family is grieving the loss of our beloved sister, daughter, niece, aunt, friend, and most importantly her children miss their mother. Mariana's light was brutally taken away from our family, and her children have a long road to recovering from the unthinkable and devastating loss of their mother.

Mariana's children include Saulo, age 12, Kimberly, age 11, and Luz, age 10. My family will, of course, continue to love and support (emotionally, physically, spiritually, and financially) Mariana's children for the rest of our lives, but as you probably know, children come with real expenses, and I would consider it a tremendous act of friendship, love, and support if you would consider donating to the immediate and future needs Mariana’s children.

From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for being here with me as I struggle to find the best way to help my family that lives so far away from me. Thank you for the outpouring of love and support, I appreciate each of you!