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Memorial held for Jordan Gallegos after murder trial for Matthew Chavez
Jordan Gallegos’ family and friends gathered Aug. 22 at Mariposa Basin Park to remember her after her murder trial concluded Aug. 21.
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ALBUQUERQUE — As a way to remember her and release some emotions after a stressful trial, Jordan Gallegos’ family and friends gathered at Mariposa Basin Park for a memorial Aug. 22.
The memorial was held the day after Matthew Chavez, 26, of Rio Rancho, was convicted of the second-degree murder of Gallegos, 21, also of Rio Rancho.
Gallegos’ best friend, Kai Rodriguez, a Rio Rancho Public Schools alumna, remembered what her friend was like. She said she had been friends with Gallegos since their eighth-grade year at Lincoln Middle School.
“She was her quirky self. She loved K-pop. She loved Ariana Grande. Literally, she would imitate her all the time, and she always loved dyeing her hair. She always loved makeup, perfume ... she always had this cotton candy scent; it was the only perfume I actually liked — I don’t know why,” she said.
She remembered they used to do dance concerts at Gallegos’ house. She added that Gallegos was a social media and YouTube influencer, using the platforms to sing and dance.
“We did have a video where we made duct tape teacups at my house,” she said.
She misses her friend, and though she wasn’t able to attend the trial, was upset the verdict didn’t go as hoped.
That sentiment was shared by Gallegos’ family, most of whom were present for the verdict.
Gallegos’ sister, Marissa Montoya, was very upset that Chavez “got a slap on the wrist.”
“But it just seems like that’s just the court system now. New Mexico’s too lenient because look what’s happening around our city every single day,” she said. “It’s like a different murder every day. It’s another family that’s broken.”
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She thanked the detectives and officers from the Rio Rancho Police Department, however, adding that they handled the case well.
The semi-permanent memorial at the park provides a place where the family can go to remember Gallegos.
“The memorial is just a dedication just to her. If we’re feeling down or something, this is where we go, just to ease our mind a little bit, to talk to her,” Montoya said.
The family gathered there for a prayer and a balloon release.
“The balloons were just to say, ‘We did it.’ It was beautiful. They all got stuck, and they managed to find a way out. So that’s just her saying, ‘We’re gonna get through this. We’re gonna find a way out,’” Montoya said.
She said she and her sister weren’t always close but always shared a connection. She believes Gallegos still sends messages to her in some way or another because of that connection.
