'Pure devastation': Hundreds pay respects to family of Chasity and Zella Nuñez
WORCESTER ― A procession of deep sadness and loss.
Those feelings permeated a long, steady line Thursday morning into afternoon outside the Callahan Fay & Caswell Funeral Home, as hundreds stood in line for calling hours to pay their respects to the family of Chasity Nuñez, 27, and her daughter Zella, 11, both shot to death last week on Englewood Avenue while sitting in a parked SUV.
Some held flowers, others bonded with a prolonged embrace, and many had visible tears in their eyes.
“Terrible,” “tragic,” “pure devastation,” some said outside the funeral home who declined interview requests, too overwhelmed to take questions.
Sisters Kara and Jackee Banfill of Worcester made sure to attend calling hours. The sisters recalled fun times when Chasity and Zella visited their home to swim in the backyard pool.
More: Chasity Nuñez, victim of Worcester homicide, remembered as exemplary employee, soldier
“Chasity and Zella had such a big sense of humor. They were loved by everybody,” said Kara Banfill.
Jackee Banfill met Chasity years ago when both attended Sullivan Middle School, remained friends and shared many moments, like driving together to job interviews.
“We did everything together,” said Jackee Banfill. “Chasity was one of my closest friends.”
More: 'Zella was wise beyond her years': Columbus Park teachers mourn slain student
One of two men authorities link to the murders, Dejan D. Belnavis, 27, was arrested Monday in San Diego during a traffic stop. He awaits an extradition hearing back to Massachusetts.
Karel Mangual, 28, arrested in Worcester the day after the March 5 shooting, faces two murder charges. Tuesday in Central District Court, Mangual’s lawyer entered a not guilty plea on his client’s behalf.
Both men have spent time in jail and have links to gangs, court records show.
“Trauma saturation” is how City Councilor Khrystian King described the emotional fallout as he stood outside the funeral home. It will take weeks to process the grief, said King, and how Worcester goes about doing that will “speak to who we are as a community.”
A GoFundMe established by friends of the Nuñez family to help cover funeral expenses and to support Chasity's surviving 2-year-old daughter had raised more than $53,000 as of Thursday afternoon.
Sobbing as she exited the funeral home, Kara Banfill said, “It’s just not right. I have two daughters of my own. I never imagined this.”
Jackee Banfill had a message for Worcester: “(Chasity) needs to be remembered as a good mom.”
Contact Henry Schwan at henry.schwan@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter @henrytelegram
Obituary Chasity and Zella Nuñez
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Hundreds in Worcester pay respects to Chasity and Zella Nuñez family
