Grieving Family, Friends Bid Farewell to Slain 12-Year-Old

Many did not know her. Yet still they came. They came to mourn a young girl quick to hug and quicker still to smile--a dark-eyed 12-year-old who loved volleyball and Disney movies, cartoon cats and sappy love songs.

They came to say goodbye to Monique Renee Arroyo.

Monique’s decomposed body was discovered in Wilmington early Monday, four days after she vanished from her second-story bedroom. About 16 detectives have been working the case since then, examining forensic evidence, questioning neighbors and studying the scene. So far, they have concluded that Monique did not die of a gunshot or a stab wound. That’s about all they are willing to say.

*

Even without official closure--no cause of death, no suspect charged--the Arroyos decided to bury Monique on Friday. One of the oldest families in Wilmington, with more than 200 relatives and roots stretching back seven decades, the Arroyos were overwhelmed at how swiftly the community moved to embrace and uplift them, to carry them through their soul-shaking tragedy.

“It’s amazing, all the support and all the love I felt out here,” said Monique’s cousin, 19-year-old Joeann Penate. “Monique really deserved a funeral like this. She always attracted attention. And she definitely wasn’t shy.”

More than 1,000 people--many total strangers--gathered for a funeral Mass at Sts. Peter and Paul Church. An hour before the service, the church was already full of grieving men, women and children.

A collage of photos reminded them of the girl they mourned: the baby of a close-knit and deeply religious family, a preteen who looked sophisticated but delighted in children’s movies such as “All Dogs Go to Heaven” and “The Aristocats.” Family members described Monique as innocent, vivacious and, above all, loving.

*

Police Lt. John Dunkin said the coroner’s office has not yet determined the cause of Monique’s death. Although he would not disclose details, Dunkin said “there is a lot of forensic evidence” being sorted and tested. He emphasized that detectives are still interviewing people about their whereabouts the night Monique disappeared.

“She was the type of the person who lit up a room when she came in,” Penate said.

At the funeral, Monique’s best friend and older sister, Josette, cranked up a recording of “The Power of Love.”

Just three days before she disappeared, Monique and Josette had hunkered down together to memorize the lyrics. As the song swirled through the hot afternoon air, many in the crowd broke down and sobbed.

Monique’s parents, Rosalia and Jose Gilberto, were too overcome to speak much. Their faces drawn, they clutched each other tightly as they left the funeral, stopping only briefly to be comforted by friends. Drawing a clear message from his tragedy, Jose Gilberto Arroyo pulled himself together enough to address the assembly for a moment:

“I want to tell all of Monique’s friends and classmates to always give your parents love, hugs and kisses because that’s what Monique did,” he said. “Monique would always give you instant love, constant love.”

Arroyo, who called Monique his “beautiful little flower,” added that he drew strength from the crowd. “Now when I see someone or hug them, it’s like Monique coming and hugging me,” he said.

Monique is survived by both parents and her three older siblings--Josette, Joe and Gabriel.

She also leaves grieving friends. Dressed in yellow shirts and green plaid jumpers, Monique’s classmates from the Holy Family Parish School huddled together solemnly at the funeral. Their eyes darted between the white coffin, piled high with flowers, and the sobbing adults pressing close around them.

Remembering Monique, classmate Adriana Maciel said: “She always got along with everyone and she was always smiling.”

Even strangers seemed charmed by Monique, whose solemn face stared out from the funeral program. Hundreds of Wilmington residents waited patiently outside the crowded church to show their respect during the Mass.

“If you knew Wilmington, you would know why all these people are out here,” said Becky Dominguez, 52. “You might not know them, but your kids might know them. We’re all a community, and we all hurt just like they do.”

Many followed the three white limousines carrying the family to the burial grounds at All Souls Cemetery in Long Beach.

“She was just 12,” one woman sobbed at the grave site, as mourners sang “Amazing Grace” over the simple coffin. “She wasn’t ready to die.”

Times staff writer Stephanie Simon contributed to this story.