For Friends, Loss of Stabbing Victim Is Still Fresh

For Felicia DePyper, the pain of seeing her daughter struggle through the loss of her best friend was too much to bear.

Following the July 2009 fatal stabbing death of Felix Jimenez, DePyper did what she thought was best, and pulled her daughter Dezi from the halls of Tinley Park High School.

"It was too difficult for her," DePyper said, of the first days after his death. Jimenez and Dezi had spent five years as close friends, and Jimenez was particularly fond of Dezi. The two dated briefly before their relationship grew into more of that between siblings—Jimenez became like an older brother to Dezi.

On the anniversary of his death two years later, she still grieves. 

"She has a hard time moving on," DePyper said. "She thinks of things in her life, and moving onwithout him there."

Dezi is one of many who faced the loss of a close friend in Jimenez; on the anniversary of his death, hundreds will memorialize the 18-year-old who was known for his smile, laugh, selflessness—and earnest attempts at dancing. Friends created a Remembering Felix Day page on Facebook, as a gathering place for those still mourning Jimenez. 

For DePyper, it was the late nights spent chatting with Jimenez that hold the most significance to her.

"I looked at him like a son, because he was always at my house," she said. "We would always joke about adopting him."

Childhood friend Fredo Alcantar grew up a block away from Jimenez. Jimenez often stopped by to help Alcantar's family, by cooking or mowing the lawn.

Jimenez would have been the best man in Alcantar's wedding; he settled for a relative of Jimenez, instead.

"At first, it was a lot of hatred," Alcantar said, of Jimenez's death. "There's still days when, out of nowhere, I'll be hit with memories."

Jimenez was 18 at the time of his death July 13, 2009. He had recently graduated from Oak Forest High School, and was set to enroll in community college the day after the party where he was fatally stabbed.

Many of his classmates have gone on to college, or careers. Alcantar reluctantly started the next chapters of his life, first with the Army National Guard, and later with his wife.

Jimenez still holds a place in his heart.

"I think about it, not to know that he's not there, and not sit there and think about it too much—knowing he's in a better place right now," Alcantar said. "He would want us to be happy."

Friends visited the Facebook page to share their memories and feelings on the anniversary.

Jake Mahoney: felix i will always miss you bro...anytime i go to a party or out to my boat or do anything fun i wish you could still be here to share those fun times with me and everyone else! R.I.P. Bro i'll never forget ya. :( but your not totally gone, your life lives on through us cuz you'll always be a part of us. love ya felix. ima be visiting you soon.

Felicia Sexton DePyper: Felix, Thank you! for all the comforting signs. I do believe your soul is at rest. You will always be forever young in my heart... I Love you so much, Miss you dearly! MaMa D

Lexi Olinger: miss you felix, and love you so muchh </3 you will never be forgotten we didnt lose a person, but we gained an angel ♥

Lynn Kuh: We will always miss you Felix. You are in our thought and memories always. R.I.P.

Read the latest on the family and the court case against Derek Grib, the man accused of killing Jimenez.

Share your thoughts and feelings about Felix Jimenez in the Comments section below the story. We also encourage you to visit the Oak Forest Patch Facebook page to upload photos or reflect on Jimenez.