SAN ANTONIO – The family of Kaitlin Hernandez placed a memorial at the bridge where the teenager’s body was found lifeless.
“It ain’t fair that I’m standing right here while they’re with their families right now, we have to do this fight for her to get justice, and they’re at home relaxing,” said Crystal Rodriguez, Kaitlin’s aunt.
San Antonio police found Hernandez’ body when they were called to Dell Oak for a report of a missing person at around 11:30 p.m. on March 12.
Upon arrival, officers searched the area and found Hernandez’s phone and jacket before finding her naked body under a bridge.
“It’s unimaginable, it’s horrific what this animal did to my niece,” said Rodriguez.
Hernandez’s body had signs of trauma and she was pronounced dead. Her death was ruled a homicide by the Bexar County Medical Examiner. Authorities said she had been strangled.
“What would you say to your neighbors if they’re listening to you right now?” asked KSAT’s John Paul Barajas.
“Just come forward, put yourself in our position, if this was your daughter, your niece,” said Rodriguez.
Sunday marks the second time Kaitlin’s family has marched through their Northeast Side neighborhood in a month.
According to police, she went for a walk with a neighbor on Tuesday evening but when he returned a few hours later, she wasn’t with him.
The man she was with, who is said to be a neighborhood friend, was detained for questioning.
“I don’t want to leave here because I feel like if I leave here, I’m going to leave her alone knowing she’s not here,” said one of Kaitlin’s aunts.
Nobody has been charged in the death of Hernandez.
Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for a tip that leads to a felony arrest in the case.
The investigation into the death remains ongoing.