GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Not a day goes by that Pilar Martinez says she doesn't think or miss her brother, Martin Eduardo Martinez Ramirez.
“You know, there was never a day where we were at least bugging each other in our rooms or going out. I think it's kind of surprising that I've made it this long without him,” said Martinez.
She says the pair would either talk everyday or spend time together.
Now that he is gone, she says he leaves her signs letting her know he is still with her.
“Sometimes I'm having hard days and out of nowhere, his favorite song will come on in random places,” said Martinez.
Which is why four months after he was found dead inside his car in Kentwood, she says she's not only fighting for justice for her brother, but also keeping his memory alive.
“He is truly, I think, the greatest person I know. And I say this to my parents in their face, and I did before I'm like, you're my parents and all and I love you, but no one beats him,”
She says it's important that she tells the story of her brother because she wants people to focus on the good work he did and the impact he made in his life, and not how he lost his life.
“Life is too short to be stressing over things that don't matter. And that was one of the biggest lessons that he gave me. Taking care of yourself finding hobbies, enjoying nature,” said Martinez.
Now, she says she plans to finish his goals for him and in honor of him.
“My brother would have graduated, he would have been graduated by now. And something that he wanted to do was start a business within mechanics. So, I know that one is gonna take a little while but my hope is to start something for him,” said Martinez.
Pilar also says her brother had planned a photo shoot with their siblings for their mother for Mother’s Day.
She and her siblings still did the photo shoot, and held a picture of their brother during the shoot so he could still be included.
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