Orlando Massacre Victims: Beyond A List Of Names, Stories Of Those Killed

As the worst mass shooting in U.S. history unfolded at a place where people came together to dance and celebrate, the world soon learned about the victims who lost their lives when a gunman took hundreds hostage at Pulse Orlando Night Club & Ultra Lounge, a popular gay bar. 

As people anxiously waited to hear if their loved ones had survived the massacre, authorities began releasing the names of the deceased. By Monday evening, all 49 victims of the massacre had been identified. 

Here's what we know about the victims: 

Edward Sotomayor Jr., 34 years old — A national brand coordinator for a gay travel agency, a friend of Sotomayor's remembered "Eddie" as the guy everyone turned to for everything and always wore a black top hat that you could see bobbing around in the crowd. The owner of the travel agency where Sotomayor worked wrote a heartfelt message on social media. Read more on the Evergreen Park Patch.

Stanley Almodovar III, 23 years old — A native of Springfield, Massachusetts, Almodovar resided in Clermont, Florida. A post on social media remembered him for always putting a smile on everyone's faces. Read more on the Boston Patch.

Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, 20 years old — Ocasio-Capo was a graduate of La Verne High School in Tennessee where a vigil was held Monday to remember the 2015 graduate. He worked at a Starbucks where his coworker said his defining trait was his sense of humor. Read more at the Daily News Journal. 

Juan Ramon Guerrero, 22 years old — Both Guerrero and his boyfriend were killed in the shooting and will have a joint funeral. The two had been dating for nearly two years and were described as soulmates by family members. “If it’s not a funeral, they were going to have a wedding together,” Guerrero's sister told Time Magazine. Read more at Time Magazine.

Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, 36 years old — Rivera moved to Orlando from Puerto Rico to have a chance at a better life, his former roommate told the Orlando-Sentinel. He graduated from Univercidad Central de Bayamon in Puerto Rico. 

Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, 22 years old — Also known as "Peter Ommy," Cruz was known as the "life of the party." Originally from Puerto Rico, friends and family remembered him on social media. Read more at the Tampa Bay Times.

Luis S. Vielma, 22 years old — Vielma worked as a ride operator on a Harry Potter ride at Universal Orlando. The park mourned the employee's death. "It made me so happy to see your employees wearing the rainbow ribbons today while I was visiting the parks. Thank you," Erik Alvarez wrote on the park's Facebook page.  J.K. Rowling tweeted her condolences, saying she couldn't stop crying. 

Kimberly Morris, 37 years old — A native of Torrington, Connecticut, she was known to her friends as KJ or her stage name "Daddy King." A friend remembered her on social media, writing, “You were such a sweet, fun loving, talented, kind hearted soul who didn't let race, age, sex or popularity status define who you befriended. You will always be in our hearts.” Read more on the Hartford Patch.

Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, 30 years old — Eddie Justice shared a series of horrifying texts with his mother as the gunman opened fire at Pulse night club. He texted his mother, "I'm gonna die." As Mina Justice awaited news from her son, her worst fears were realized when his name was added to the list of those killed in the shooting. Read more at the Associated Press. 

Darryl Roman Burt II, 29 years old — Burt was from Jacksonville, Florida, where he was a member of the Jacksonville Jaycees, an organization for young professionals. He worked at Keiser University and was remembered by Chancellor Dr. Keith Keiser as "a highly respected member of the KU team, and his contributions to our students and his colleagues will not be forgotten."

Deonka Deidra Drayton, 32 years old — Drayton grew up in Eastover, South Carolina, and attended Claflin University in Orangeburg. "Now this just got real! I feel so sick and helpless. One of the people innocently taken was my best friend from the Army's niece, Deonka Drayton . Please pray for her and her family in this time of loss," Robin Rockefeller Taylor wrote on Facebook. 

Anthony Luis Laureanodisla, 25 years old — Laureanodisla was a member of the drag community and was known by her stage name, Alanis Laurell. "Alanis Laurell was a amazing performer and a beautiful person inside and out. She will be missed deeply. You are now a angel looking down at all of us," Drag Around the World wrote on Facebook. 

Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, 35 years old — Perez and his longtime partner Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, 37, met at Perfumania, where Perez worked. They were both killed in the shooting. "Jean Carlos Perez....my friend...fly high with the angels....you will be missed dearly," a woman named Crystal Garcia wrote on Facebook. Read more at the Orlando Sentinel. 

Franky Jimmy Dejesus Velazquez, 50 years old — Velazquez was a professional Jibaro dancer from Puerto Rico, Orlando Weekly reported. A fundraiser was started to help bring his body home to his family in Puerto Rico. "I'm sorry with my heart to tell you that my brother went to dwell with the Lord that I don't have comfort and that I don't know how I'm going to live with this pain," his sister wrote on Facebook. 

Amanda Alvear, 25 years old — A Snapchat video posted by Alvear captured moments from the mass shooting at Pulse. She liked to take pictures, her brother Brian Alvear wrote on Facebook when he learned his sister was at the club. She answered one phone call after posting the Snapchat video. "Amanda Alvear my gorgeous sister 12/12/1990 confirmed passed 06/13/2016. Goodnight and thanks to everyone," her brother later wrote. 

Martin Benitez Torres, 33 years old — Torres was visiting family in Orlando. He was a student at  Sistema Universitario Ana G. Méndez in San Juan, a university spokeswoman told the Orlando Sentinel. He posted videos on Facebook with his loved ones in Orlando. 

Mercedez Marisol Flores, 26 years old — Flores was born in Queens, New York and moved to Florida as a child, her sister-in-law told the Associated Press. She was at the club with her best friend Amanda Alvear, who was also killed in the shooting. She was enrolled in summer classes at Valencia College. 

Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado, 35 years old — Serrano was a parade performer in the Super Star parade at Universal Studios Florida and a regular performer in the Festival of The Lion King show, WESH Orlando reported. 

Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez, 25 years old — Menendez worked at a Speedway service station in Orlando. He moved to Orlando from Puerto Rico to study healthcare management. 

Oscar A. Aracena-Montero, 26 years old — From Kissimmee, Florida, Aracena had just returned from vacation, the Orlando Sentinel reported. His cousin Joel Aracena wrote an emotional message on Facebook, remembering him for his humility, innocence and wisdom. He was at the club with his friend Simon Adrian Carrillo Fernandez, who was also killed in the shooting. Aracena's boyfriend, Simon Adrian Carrillo Fernandez, 31, who was remembered as a "good boss," was also killed in the shooting. 

Enrique L. Rios Jr., 25 years old — Rios was a resident of Brooklyn's Williamsburg neighborhood who was taking classes at a local college with the hopes of finishing his degree. He had traveled to Orlando to celebrate a friend's birthday. Read more on the Williamsburg-Greenpoint Patch.

Miguel Angel Honorato, 30 years old — Honorato was married with three children, his brother told First Coast News. He went to the club with three friends, who made it out safely. Messages of support flooded his brother Jose Honorato's Facebook page. "Jose, my deepest sympathies for your loss. My prayers are with you and your family. God bless you all and keep you all strong," a woman named Veronica Fernandez wrote. 

Javier Jorge-Reyes, 40 years old — Reyes, originally from Puerto Rico, worked as a supervisor at Gucci. "We join in solidarity with the families and friends of all the victims of the senseless tragedy in Orlando. Our special thoughts are with Javier Jorge-Reyes, who lost his life, and all of our colleagues in Orlando," Gucci wrote on Facebook. 

Jason Benjamin Josaphat, 19 years old — Josaphat was looking forward to the next chapter in his life, family members told the Orlando Sentinel. He had graduated from Southern Technical College's business office specialist program and had begun classes at Valencia College. He attended Skyline High School in Mesa, Arizona, where school officials remembered him for always having a smile on his face. Read more at Tucson News Now. 

Cory James Connell, 21 years old — Connell was from the College Park neighborhood in Orlando where he worked at a Publix grocery store. He was a corner/safety coach for the Orlando Anarchy Women's Football Club. "He brought out the best in all the Orlando Anarchy Players," the club wrote on Facebook. An impromptu memorial was set up at the Publix where he worked. 

Juan P. Rivera Velazquez, 37 years old — Velazquez and Luis Daniel Conde, 39, were owners of DMagazine Salon & Spa in Kissimmee, Florida. "They were both exceptional people," Conde's sister Lynette Conde told the Tampa Bay Times. 

Shane Evan Tomlinson, 33 years old —A native of North Carolina, Tomlinson was lead vocalist for a cover group in the Orlando area hired for clubs and weddings. He went to Pulse Saturday night after performing at Blue Martini Lounge. Read more at the Charlotee Observer. 

Juan Chevez-Martinez, 25 years old — Martinez worked at Reunion Resorts, and his hotel colleagues remembered him as kind and loving. "We are deeply saddened by the loss of life which has affected so many people in Orlando, including our team members here at Reunion. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this senseless tragedy, as well as their families and loved ones. We stand ready to assist our community in any way we can. ‪#‎OrlandoStrong‬," Reunion Resort wrote on Facebook. 

Jerald Arthur Wright, 31 years old — A member of the Disney community, Wright was at the club helping his friend Cory James Connell celebrate his 21st birthday, according to the Orlando Sentinel. Connell was also killed in the shooting. 

"We lost one of our own in Saturdays shooting in Orlando," Scott Dickison, who was Wright's co-worker at one point, wrote on Facebook. "Jerry Wright who worked in Tomorrowland Merchandise. I no longer work there but they are still my family. Jerry was a great guy to work with. His name just came up on the victims list something we all were not wanting. Was hoping he was just in the hospital. My heart goes out to his family, all who knew Jerry and especially to my tomorrowland family at Magic Kingdom. Still in disbelief. Very sad right now. I remember seeing him one of my last days in the tunnel when I was leaving, he was telling me how much he was enjoying working on Main Street since he had left Tomorrowland. Words can't describe the sadness I feel right now, that someone I knew, someone I worked with and called a friend was taken by this tragedy here in Orlando, Florida. Now I'm tearing up, I'm gonna end this here. Sorry." 

Leroy Valentin Fernandez, 25 years old — Fernandez worked as a leasing agent at an apartment complex in Orlando. "I am completely heartbroken for our community. My neighbor Leroy was taken Sunday. I didn't know him very well but I know that he was a joyful and beautiful person. He worked at the leasing office in my community and was so happy to help whenever I would come in. I remember him always smiling at me as we passed each other during our way to work in the mornings," Natasha Stout wrote on Facebook. 

"Our thoughts and condolences are with all of the people affected by this tragedy," Auvers Village Apartments wrote on Twitter. 

Tevin Eugene Crosby, 25 years old — Crosby was from Statesville, North Carolina, and was currently living in Michigan. He owned a local business. Read more on WFMY News. 

Jonathan Antonio Camuy Vega, 24 years old — Camuy worked for the Telemundo Network and had been an active member in one of the National Association for Hispanic Journalists' student chapter in Puerto Rico, the organization said in a statement. He worked on the hit Telemundo show “La Voz Kids” which is produced in Orlando. “We want to extend our thoughts, prayers and deepest condolences to Jonathan’s family and friends. He was a great assistant producer and had been working with us since 'Yo Soy el Artista' and previously at Telemundo Puerto Rico. Most recently, he was working in audience management in the current season of 'La Voz Kids.' Jonathan will be missed dearly,” Cesar Conde, chairman of NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises, said in a statement. 

Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala, 33 years old — Ayala worked as a biologics assistant at OneBlood in Kissimmee, Florida. "God I ask that you're well," his cousin Elizabeth Ayala wrote on Facebook around the time authorities had begun identifying the deceased.

Brenda Lee Marquez McCool, 49 years old — Marquz McCool beat cancer twice and was a mom of 11. She went to Pulse with her 21-year-old son. She posted a video to her Facebook page early Sunday morning that showed people dancing to Latin music. Read more at NBC News. 

Christopher Andrew Leinonen, 32 years old — Leinonen's mother thought he and his boyfriend had left Pulse before the gunman opened fire. Both Leinonen and his boyfriend Juan Ramon Guerrero were confirmed dead. She said she was proud of her son who received a humanitarian award for a gay-straight alliance he founded at his high school. Read more on the Ferndale Patch.

Angel L. Candelario-Padro, 28 years old — Candelario-Padro had recently moved to Orlando from Chicago to start a new life. He was a nurse and went to Pulse Saturday night with his boyfriend. Read more at the Chicago Tribune. 

Frank Hernandez, 27 years old — Hernandez moved from Louisiana to Orlando three years ago when he accepted a promotion with Calvin Klein. His family members lovingly referred to him as "My Frankie." Read more at The Advertiser. 

Antonio Davon Brown, 29 years old — Brown was a former student at Florida A&M University and a captain who served in the U.S. Army Reserve. Read more at WTXL. 

Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz, 24 years old — Sanfeliz worked at a bank in Tampa. His family moved to the area from Cuba in the 1960s. A former teacher remembered him as "the most positive guy I've ever known." Read more at the Tampa Bay Times. 

Akyra Monet Murray, 18 years old — Murray was a recent graduate of West Catholic Prep in Philadelphia. In a statement, West Catholic called Akyra a "superstar" and a leader both in the classroom and on the basketball court. Read more on the Roxborough-Manayunk Patch.

Patch will update this post to provide bios for the victims listed below: 

Geraldo A. Ortiz-Jimenez, 25 years old 

Paul Terrell Henry, 41 years old

Yilmary Rodriguez Sulivan, 24 years old 

Jean C. Nives Rodriguez, 27 years old 

Joel Rayon Paniagua, 32 years old

Alejandro Barrios Martinez, 21 years old

Photo courtesy of the City of Sarasota