The anguish being felt in Manati, Puerto Rico, is resonating with people in Middletown, Ohio, where Nitza Valderrama lived and worked."When I saw the news, I started to cry, and I just don't believe it," said Zairelishka Huertas. The 11-year-old said Valderrama was like an aunt to her. She said she was beautiful and kind."We were just so close, and I never knew anything like this could happen. I just thought she was going to come back because I've been waiting for her," Zairelishka said. Valderrama was killed on Friday while visiting family in Puerto Rico.Her ex-partner, Amnerie Manzano Diaz, was arrested and charged with murder. Investigators in Puerto Rico said Diaz showed up at a police department with Valderrama's body in her car and admitted to shooting her."I'm very teary inside my heart right now. I'm not going to see this wonderful person again," said Lewis Booker, Valderrama's neighbor. Neighbors and close friends are heartbroken.They said Valderrama was a Christian who was active in her church.They said she was also a thrill seeker who went skydiving in April and was already looking forward to jumping again.Above all, friends said she loved children and was very excited to land a job as a bilingual specialist at Rosa Parks Elementary School in Middletown."She worked really hard, and she had everything. She was going to live the American dream, and it was taken way too soon from her," said Mary Moore, a friend of Valderrama's.Tuesday afternoon, loved ones gathered outside Valderrama's home. They honored her life with a balloon release. There were also whispers of "Happy birthday in heaven," as Tuesday would have been her 32nd birthday.
The anguish being felt in Manati, Puerto Rico, is resonating with people in Middletown, Ohio, where Nitza Valderrama lived and worked.
"When I saw the news, I started to cry, and I just don't believe it," said Zairelishka Huertas.
The 11-year-old said Valderrama was like an aunt to her. She said she was beautiful and kind.
"We were just so close, and I never knew anything like this could happen. I just thought she was going to come back because I've been waiting for her," Zairelishka said.
Valderrama was killed on Friday while visiting family in Puerto Rico.
Her ex-partner, Amnerie Manzano Diaz, was arrested and charged with murder.
Investigators in Puerto Rico said Diaz showed up at a police department with Valderrama's body in her car and admitted to shooting her.
"I'm very teary inside my heart right now. I'm not going to see this wonderful person again," said Lewis Booker, Valderrama's neighbor.
Neighbors and close friends are heartbroken.
They said Valderrama was a Christian who was active in her church.
They said she was also a thrill seeker who went skydiving in April and was already looking forward to jumping again.
Above all, friends said she loved children and was very excited to land a job as a bilingual specialist at Rosa Parks Elementary School in Middletown.
"She worked really hard, and she had everything. She was going to live the American dream, and it was taken way too soon from her," said Mary Moore, a friend of Valderrama's.
Tuesday afternoon, loved ones gathered outside Valderrama's home. They honored her life with a balloon release. There were also whispers of "Happy birthday in heaven," as Tuesday would have been her 32nd birthday.
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