BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Audreyaanna Rivera, better known as Audrey, lost her life on Easter Sunday after a domestic fight.
Now, her family is asking the community to join them in celebrating her life and that of her newborn son, Josiah Rivera.
Audrey's family says they never saw this tragedy coming and we're hoping that her newborn son would have survived. Sadly, he passed on Wednesday in his family's arms.
Venus Enriquez, a cousin to Audrey, says the entire family is struggling with this tragedy.
"We have quiet moments where we are not having to handle anything or plan, and then it hits you hard," Enriquez said. "My aunt is still having a hard time and the kids are adjusting."
Rivera was nine months pregnant at the time when police say she was killed by her on-again-off-again boyfriend 36-year-old, Javier Vidal.
Kern County Sheriff's says Vidal left the scene of the crime in Weed Patch with their 2-year-old Elias Vidal. Elias is the son of Audrey and Javier.
The 2-year-old was found safe that same evening, but shortly after the suspect was pronounced dead.
According to officials, the suspect's death was in result of a shootout. KCSO is stating it was Vidal who fired first.
Since then, Elias has been reunited with his family, but his little brother Josiah did not make it.
"Josiah had to be taken off of life support so he is in heaven with his mom," Enriquez said. "We feel like maybe she needed him more."
The family tells 23ABC there will be a public celebration of life for both Josiah and Audrey.
This is scheduled for April 24th at the Basham Funeral Home from 5 p.m to 8 p.m.
For the viewing, the funeral home will be practicing social distancing by allowing ten people in at a time.
Also, they are requiring the wearing of masks of all attendees.
Enriquez says that Audrey and her baby boy will now be together forever.
"Josiah will be buried with his mom and he will be placed in the casket with her and they will be together," said Enriquez.
The family wants to celebrate mom and son by asking the community to join in by doing one of Audrey's favorite activities.
"Audrey loved to drive and listen to music," said Enriquez. "That was her thing. So anyone who would like to join, meet the family at Hillcrest in the Rose Garden parking lot around 12:30 pm next Saturday. We will take a drive from Hillcrest through Hart Park a few times."
Enriquez shares that this act of violence could have been avoided.
"Domestic violence does happen and I think that if you hear something, see something, we should say something," said Enriquez.
