SWFL girl Diana Alvarez remembered on birthday, would be 13 years old

Community members in Southwest Florida gathered to remember a young girl on her special day over the weekend.

Diana Alvarez would have turned 13 years old Sunday, but her life was cut short in May 2016 when she was kidnapped from her family’s San Carlos Park home and murdered.

Diana’s body wasn’t found until earlier this year, more than 100 miles away from home.

The only suspect in Diana’s case, Jorge Guerrero Torres, remains in jail.

Diana would probably be celebrating her day with family and friends if she were still with them. Instead, Diana’s family is left with pictures, memories and their thoughts of what could have been if she wasn’t taken under tragic circumstances.

Diana disappeared back in 2016 when she was just 9 years old. Her remains were recovered in Osceola County back in March.

Guerrero is the only suspect in her disappearance from her San Carlos Park home. He faces murder, kidnapping and molestation charges.

As Diana’s family waits for justice, they grieve another year lost with their precious baby girl.

“I have to go without a birthday, another year without a birthday<’ said Rita Hernandez, Diana’s mother. “My daughter is in heaven. She’s with God.”

Forensic experts and investigators are still combing through evidence surrounding Diana’s remains.

As for Gurrero, his future has been delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic.