LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – The Las Vegas community gathered in Craig Ranch Park in North Las Vegas Thursday to celebrate the life of Tabatha Tozzi.
On April 24, 2023, Tozzi died after Las Vegas Metropolitan Police say her boyfriend, Oswaldo Perez-Sanchez, killed her and fled to Mexico.
“My life went upside down,” Tozzi’s mother, Regina Lacerda said. “I didn’t save Tabby. I know if I was there, I would just in front of him and she’d be alive.”
For two years, she has mourned over her daughter’s horrific death.
“Today is 2 years that I had to let go of my daughter, I had to let her go. Two years! Two years is a long time and feels like it was yesterday.”
Family and friends set up an altar with Tozzi’s urn, surrounded it with pictures and paintings of her throughout her life. They made sure to include her favorite color blue in the decorations. Lacerda said butterflies were also her favorite. They found a place on the alter too.
“She’s the light of my life,” Lacerda said through tears. “She’s my world. It’s been really, really, really hard to live without her.”
Posters that said “Justice for Tabatha” also surrounded the altar. Just last week, Perez-Sanchez was arrested in Mexico where he is accused of killing another woman. Although he’s been caught, Lacerda said the fight for justice is not over.
“I just want to have a little bit of peace. I know this is not going to bring my daughter back to me but we have to fight.” she said.
The CEO of domestic violence organization SafeNest Liz Ortenburger gave a small speech at Thursday’s gathering.
The U.S. Marshals and Metro also paid their respects Thursday.
“There’s a lot of care for Regina and Tabatha’s family and friends. We want to see that justice here, we know we have some significant challenges ahead of us,” added Metro Undersheriff Andrew Walsh.
Lacera said there is no challenge that will keep her from fighting.
“I will never, never stop fighting for my daughters justice. Never, never.”
Metro Police says Perez-Sanchez faces charges in Mexico and is pending extradition to the United States.
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