Friends and family will begin to say their final goodbyes Thursday to the 19-year-old pregnant Chicago woman killed last month.
A visitation for Marlen Ochoa was scheduled to take place Thursday and Friday at Mount Auburn Funeral Home in south suburban Stickney. Her funeral is set for Saturday morning, according to the funeral home, followed by a burial at the adjoining memorial park.
Ochoa was strangled in Chicago last month before her baby was cut from her womb, authorities said. Now, her infant child remains on life support at Advocate Christ Medical Center as their family awaits a miracle.
Many of Ochoa's extended family members arrived in the U.S. from Mexico Tuesday night as they prepare to lay her to rest.
"Marlen is everyone’s daughter today," family spokeswoman Cecilia Garcia said at a vigil for Ochoa Wednesday night. "We have to make sure that this never ever happens to anybody else again."
The vigil on Wednesday was held in front of the nail salon where Ochoa would often visit her mother at work. Friends and family gathered there to thank the community for prayers and support during the very difficult time. e.
Last week, Clarisa Figueroa and her daughter Desiree Figueroa were charged with the teen’s murder, and Clarisa Figueroa's boyfriend Piotr Bobak was charged with concealing the homicide.
Thursday's visitation begins at 3 p.m. while Friday's lasts from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., according to the funeral home.
