
Every organization represented in this Coalition began with someone deeply loved. Before they became advocates, they were parents, grandparents, siblings, children, spouses, and friends searching for justice. These are the lives that inspire our mission.
About Mary
Mary Santina Collins lived a life filled with love, laughter, and joy during her twenty short years. She had a gentle spirit, a caring heart, and a remarkable ability to make people feel accepted. Her kindness came naturally, and she saw the good in others, often trusting people without hesitation.
Mary lived with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, an invisible disability that affected her communication, judgment, and understanding of danger. Although she was twenty years old, she experienced the world differently and remained especially vulnerable because of her trusting nature. Those who loved Mary recognized both her determination to be independent and the importance of protecting her from those who might take advantage of her kindness.
Mary loved music, photography, and fashion. She enjoyed expressing herself through her personal style and treasured spending time with her family and friends. She found happiness in life's simple moments—sharing laughter, making memories, and being with the people she loved most.
Mary's life cannot be measured by the tragedy that ended it. She is remembered for the joy she brought to others, the love she freely gave, and the lasting impact she continues to have on everyone who knew her.
Today, Mary's legacy lives on through Mary's Voice, an organization dedicated to protecting vulnerable persons, strengthening victims' rights, supporting families, and working to ensure that future tragedies can be prevented through meaningful legislative and systemic change.
About Kristen
Kristen "Kiki" Marie Galvan was described by her family as a sweet, vibrant teenager who lightened any room she entered. Her mother, Robyn Cory, shared that Kristen loved playing practical jokes and filled their home with laughter.
Kristen was not only sweet and vibrant, she was a bright 15-year-old girl from Spring, Texas, who brought immense warmth and joy to her family and everyone who crossed her path. Her mother, Robyn, lovingly remembers her as a good-hearted and genuinely sweet teenager.
Growing up, Kristen was heavily involved in her community and school. She spent years as an active Girl Scout, maintained an excellent academic record as an honor roll student, and took great pride in serving her school as a dedicated member of both the Junior ROTC and the drill team. Beyond her bright mind and accomplishments, Kristen is remembered as a beautiful girl, defined by her beautiful curly hair, hazel eyes, and a creative spirit that found joy in painting butterflies. She also bore a distinct, small heart tattoo on her ankle, a quiet reflection of her affectionate personality. Tragically, her life was upended after she was targeted and lured away by manipulative online predators who took advantage of her trusting nature. Those who love Kristen and fight tirelessly to keep her name alive emphasize that she should always be celebrated for her intelligence, her dedication to her community, and the gentle, generous spirit she shared with her family.
Kristen was a dedicated Student. She was an honor roll student who achieved good grades in school. Kristen was a highly involved youth, participating in both the Girl Scouts and her school's drill team. Kristen was slso a member of the Junior ROTC and held aspirations of pursuing a career in the military.
Kristen was deeply loved by her family and idolized by her two younger brothers.
‘It didn’t need to end this way’: mother of US teen trafficked and killed decries police failures | Texas | The Guardian
About Brittany
Brittany was a vibrant, ambitious, and deeply compassionate young woman whose bright future was tragically cut short. Known for her joyful, "bubbly" personality, Brittany left a lasting impression on everyone she met with her happy demeanor and genuine kindness.Highly intelligent and driven, Brittany was a gifted student who attended college on a full-ride chemistry scholarship. She possessed a deep passion for science and pharmaceutical research, aiming to dedicate her life to finding a cure for cancer—a goal inspired by the loss of her beloved grandmother. Outside of her academic pursuits, Brittany was multi-talented and creative, immersing herself in sports, music, ballet, gymnastics, acting, and singing.At just 18 years old, Brittany was taking her first proud steps into independence, excited for the future and full of love for her family and friends. Today, her mother, Dr. Maggie Zingman, continues to honor Brittany's memory, fighting tirelessly to ensure her beautiful spirit and legacy are never forgotten.
About Brittanee
Brittanee was a beautiful, vibrant, and deeply athletic 17-year-old who brought an undeniable warmth and energy to everyone she met. To her family and closest childhood friends in Chili, New York, she was a bright, caring soul with a unique gift for bringing people together, effortlessly lighting up any room with her contagious laughter and radiant smile. On the soccer field, Brittanee was a fierce, fast competitor, while off the field, she channeled her creativity into a passion for fashion, hair styling, and makeup. She was also widely known for her striking eyes; having navigated childhood eye surgeries, she wore special contact lenses to cover a wandering eye, a distinct feature that became part of her memorable look.Those who loved her knew Brittanee as a remarkably strong-willed and ambitious young woman who already held beautiful dreams for her future. She was deeply family-oriented, acting as a doting, fiercely protective second mother to her younger siblings, while quietly planning for a future where she would build a successful career, get married, and raise children of her own. Ultimately, Brittanee was a loyal friend, a devoted sister, and a daughter whose life was filled with immense promise. Those who hold her memory close emphasize that she should always be remembered for the joyful, generous spirit she shared with the world, and the beautiful life she lived.
"Mercedes, she was just a gift." To know my daughter was to know a young woman who lived with her entire heart open to the world. She possessed an adventurous, outdoor-loving spirit and a contagious laugh, but above all else, she was defined by an immense, unshakeable empathy. "She was always saving her money for the homeless period... always just had this huge heart of gold, always." Mercedes simply could not bear to see other people hurting. She was fiercely loyal and refused to speak poorly of anyone, always choosing to see the absolute best in the people around her.As her mother, that boundless capacity for kindness was both my greatest source of pride and my deepest worry. Looking back at her senior photos, I remember frequently fearing that her intense desire to help people, combined with her deep trust, would ultimately make her "an easy target" for the wrong crowd. She always put others before herself, even when it meant placing herself in harm's way.Beyond her soft heart, Mercedes was the pillar of our small family. She shared an unbreakable bond with her sister, Celi, whom she affectionately called her "sunflower". Mercedes "would have moved heaven and earth to protect her", serving as Celi's ultimate safe place, her defender, and her best friend.But the true light of Mercedes’ life was her young son, Darryn. Her greatest motivation was to be a mother he could grow up to be truly proud of. Darryn loved her fiercely, remembering her as "the nicest mommy in the world"—the mommy who took him to swim lessons, sang songs with him, made him laugh, and shared her beautiful talent as an artist. When she vanished in October 2020, I knew instantly that foul play was involved, because "my daughter wouldn't leave her son." She was five months pregnant at the time, enthusiastically shopping for car seats, and deeply invested in building a bright future for her children.When the grueling two-year search ended with the heartbreaking discovery of her remains in 2022, our lives changed forever. Her death was ruled a homicide, and the vibrant, beautiful 25-year-old girl who gave so much to this world was stolen from us. We share her story not just to demand justice, but to ensure the world remembers the true essence of who she was. We will never stop fighting for accountability, and we will never let the memory of her beautiful, giving soul fade.
Jonathan is a remarkably gentle, sweet, and deeply loved young man who brings an unmistakable brightness to his family. Living with autism and navigating the world with the innocent, trusting heart of a 9- or 10-year-old child, he is a total homebody who always felt safest and happiest wrapped in the comfort of his family's routine. To know Jonathan is to know a rare, pure sincerity; he is entirely incapable of lying or deception, viewing everyone with an inherent trust. His mother fondly cherishes his unique, quirky sense of humor that kept their household full of smiles. He is also defined by a beautiful sense of gratitude. Whenever birthdays or holidays came around, instead of asking for material gifts, Jonathan would sweetly insist that he was simply grateful for what he already had, asking only for a simple family meal out together.Jonathan thrives in his favorite, familiar worlds and has wonderful passions that his family holds close to their hearts. He is an avid gamer who loves immersing himself in Minecraft, Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros, and The Legend of Zelda on his iPad. With a curious mind, he loves researching folklore and legendary creatures on YouTube, holding a special fascination for cryptids like Bigfoot, Krampus, and Slender Man. For comfort, Jonathan is deeply attached to his Perry the Platypus Pillow Pet and finds a vital sense of security in his hooded jackets, wearing them outside as a protective blanket even in the heat of summer. He absolutely loves going out to eat with his family, with Red Robin, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Olive Garden being his favorite spots. A true fan of sweet treats, he always looks forward to ordering Starbucks coffee, Italian sodas, root beer floats, banana shakes, and Lotus energy drinks.Jonathan continues to be missing, and because of his sweet, trusting nature and cognitive vulnerabilities, he remains incredibly at risk. His family, law enforcement, and a devoted community are actively, tirelessly searching for him and refuse to give up hope. He is deeply missed every single day, and the unwavering mission of everyone who loves him is to bring this sweet young man safely back home.
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