As the coroner on Tuesday said that a woman died from a gunshot wound to the head, friends and family began mourning for the 19-year-old who "had a bright future."
Gabriela Calzada "brightened up any room," wrote Teena Padilla on a GoFundMe page raising money for her funeral expenses. The Los Angeles County Coroner's Office said on Tuesday that in addition to being shot in the head, she had suffered from serious wounds.
Calzada's body was found with her friend Wednesday on a path at Ernest E. Debs Regional Park in Montecito Heights, a few miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles. A woman out for a walk with her dog found them, LAPD Officer Matthew Ludwig said.
Police have made no arrests nor have they identified any suspects.
The second body has not officially been identified, but family and friends have identified her as Calzada's friend, Briana Gallegos, 17. Her identity has not been released because coroner's officials are waiting for DNA and fingerprint tests, LAPD Capt. Martin Baeza said.
"Our most sincere condolences go out to the family," Maritsa and Edgar Lopez wrote her GoFundMe page. "It's sad and unfortunate that she was robbed of a future at such a young age. We hope that justice is served in her name. May she rest in peace."
The discovery shocked residents.
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"We're on high alert. We're worried," police Capt. Patricia Sandoval told the Associated Press. "It's very alarming, especially for anybody that's a runner, a hiker or a walker who uses that park regularly and thinks, 'Am I in harm's way now?'"
Residents plan to hand out fliers Tuesday night about a vigil for the dead teens on Thursday.
