More than two years after launching a fundraising effort to create a mural in memory of the late Gabriel Fernandez, his cousin Olivia Rubio held a recent fundraiser that has brought them one step closer to making their vision a reality.
Gabriel was just 8 years old when he was tragically tortured and beaten to death by his mother Pearl Fernandez and her boyfriend Isauro Aguirre in Palmdale on May 24, 2013.
After public outrage and a lengthy legal process, Fernandez pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, and Aguirre was convicted of first-degree murder and torture.
To support the fundraising effort for a memorial mural for Gabriel, Lee’s 4 Cocktails in Northridge hosted a full-day fundraiser on Nov. 19. Proceeds from an NFL-themed raffle and food sales will be used to help fund the costs of creating and maintaining the mural – for permits, supplies, the fee for the muralist and upkeep for the property where the mural will be painted.
Rubio said that to date, they have raised a combined total of nearly $5,000 for the mural, approximately 60% of their financial goal. In addition, they have tentatively selected a wall for the mural – and it’s “closer to home” than they originally planned, said Rubio.
“We wanted to have the mural in the heart of LA – we actually wanted to have it by DCFS [the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services],” said Rubio, recounting how she and Emily Carranza, a resident of Sylmar who is also a cousin of Gabriel, and several others scoured many streets in Downtown LA, but they never found an available spot that seemed quite right.
But what seemed frustrating and unfortunate at the time turned out to be a blessing, she said.
“We ended up finding a place in Pacoima, [near the neighborhood] where Gabriel lived [happily with his grandparents], so that’s meaningful to us,” said Rubio. But, she added, they won’t reveal the exact location until all plans have been finalized. “I feel like Gabriel was giving us silent signs about where to look.”
Carranza said the planned mural will be the second one painted in memory of Gabriel.
“There is a mural of Gabriel in Palmdale,” said Carranza. That mural, an angelic rendering of Gabriel’s face surrounded by clouds, is located near the apartment where he last lived – the very site where the young boy was regularly subjected to horrific torture and eventually murdered.
“Olivia and I wanted to bring Gabriel back home – back to the valley, back to the city of Pacoima, where he was originally from,” continued Carranza.
For most of his life, Gabriel lived with his grandparents and uncle in Pacoima and other parts of the Northeast San Fernando Valley, until his mother – who was living in Palmdale at the time – picked him up for a visit but then refused to return him.
Following his death, Carranza, who spearheaded the fight for justice for Gabriel, launched a Facebook page called Gabriel’s Justice, which is dedicated to preserving his legacy, fighting against child abuse and supporting other families. Along that journey, she met and joined forces with Rubio – although they are both related to Gabriel, they are from opposite sides of his family.
“Ever since we met, she’s been fighting with me,” said Carranza of Rubio. “After everything we went through together – the [daily] court hearings, the convictions – we stayed close friends.”
Carranza commended Rubio for the work she has taken on – helping organize commemorative events and the recent fundraiser – because Carranza had to temporarily step back due to increased responsibilities at home fostering (and later adopting) three of her grandchildren.
“Olivia and I are very close sister friends – we grew close by being connected to Gabriel,” explained Carranza. “Ever since Olivia joined forces with me, she’s been my rock and I’ve been hers. She has found her voice – she found her passion – and she does a really great job.”
“It’s so rewarding – I love to do what I do,” said Rubio about the mural and keeping Gabriel’s memory alive. “You meet so many people and you can see the love they have for Gabriel.”
For Rubio, that’s what it’s all about.
“We want this mural to bring awareness to the community about the simple things – to love your children, to take care of them and appreciate them,” said Rubio. “We also want to continue to keep Gabriel’s memory alive, to keep his legacy alive and continue to fight against child abuse.”
To make a donation for the mural, call Emily Carranza at (818) 849-8706.
Editor Diana Martinez contributed to this article.