Family and friends of a couple who were fatally shot inside their apartment are struggling with their deaths and hoping to raise funds to have the pair buried together.
Marco and Vera Escobedo were killed Saturday at their Thornton home when they answered a knock on the door.
The couple — Marco was 44 and Vera was 41 — did not have a will and had no funeral or burial plans, said Vesa Ray, Vera’s sister.
“When you are that young, you just don’t think about that,” Ray said.
Marco, a native of Mexico, worked as a foreman in a warehouse. He loved electronic gadgets and equipment, Ray said.
Vera, a Colorado native who graduated from Thornton High School, had worked in telecommunications but recently started a new job as an executive’s assistant.
The couple, who had no children, showered their nieces and nephews with love and attention, Ray said.
The couple also fawned over their pet Chihuahua, Taco.
“That was her baby,” Ray said.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
Contributions may be made to the Marco and Vera Escobedo Memorial Fund, Bellco First Federal Credit Union, Acct. 586918997, Routing number 302075018.
Contributions will help pay for the funeral and a burial plot, Ray said.
Lance Leroy McDermed, 36, a neighbor of the couple, is being held at the Adams County Jail on suspicion of gunning down the Escobedos.
Vera Escobedo had filed a complaint with police in July stating McDermed had harassed her verbally.
Ray, other Escobedo family members and neighbors say McDermed had harassed Vera for an extended time.
McDermed is scheduled to appear in an Adams County court on Friday where he may be charged with two counts of murder.
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com.
