A freshman at Alexandria City High School in Virginia died suddenly at home on Tuesday morning, according to NBC Washington.
Yonatan Vazquez Méndez, 16, was found lifeless in his bedroom by his father right before school.
“I saw him lying on the floor. I ran and hugged him,” Vazquez Méndez’s father, Daniel Vasquez, told Telemundo44.
The cause of Yonatan Vazquez Méndez’s death is under investigation.
A GoFundMe was created for the Vazquez Mendez family has raised over $6,000 as of Monday, May 8.
“Yonathan was a son, brother, cousin, nephew, friend, and most importantly a child of God,” the fundraising page reads.
“He dedicated his time and life to Jesus Christ alongside his family and played the guitar in his congregation. During his free time he loved spending time with his family watching movies, play video games, while eating pizza and drinking his Starbucks. We ask during this difficult time that you pray for our family and we appreciate whatever amount God places in your heart, we thank you very much. God bless you!”
ACHS Principal Peter Balas notified the community of Yonatan’s tragic death in an email obtained by Daily Voice.
“Yonatan has been part of the Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) family since he was in middle school, and his passing is a sad and tragic loss for his family, friends and our school community.
“He was always respectful and was well liked by his peers. On behalf of the entire Titan community, we send our thoughts and prayers to his family and loved ones.”
From NBC Washington:
The family’s apartment was crowded Thursday with relatives who drove from Texas when they got the tragic news.
“I still can’t believe it because one day we had him with us and the other day we didn’t,” said Yonatan’s cousin Sindi Méndez.
His cousins said they saw Yonatan as a brother.
“He was very humble, sweet, kind, smart, energetic. He was, he was the type of person that … like, he was always there for you,” cousin Chris Depaz said.
Music was Yonatan’s passion and something he’d hoped to pursue as a profession, his family said. He played guitar for their church’s band every Sunday.
His parents said Yonatan had an important role in their family looking out for his two younger siblings and using his English language skills to help take care of the bills and other household business.
Alexandria police said they’re investigating the circumstances of the teen’s death and whether it had anything to do with opioids. They are awaiting a report from the medical examiner.
The family, however, said they’ve never seen any indication their son had tried drugs.
“I had a meeting with the counselor, and he said that they had never seen anything with Yonatan, and he told me, ‘Really, I congratulate you for being vigilant because not all mothers are like you,” María Anabel Méndez said.
