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- My daughter was murdered in a school shooting. We’ve kept her bedroom exactly as it was on the day she died. (businessinsider.com)
Uvalde Family Preserves Daughter’s Bedroom as Sacred Memorial
Uvalde, TX – The bedroom of nine-year-old Jackie Cazares, a victim of the tragic Robb Elementary School shooting in May 2022, remains untouched, a poignant testament to a life cut short. Her parents, Gloria and Javier Cazares, have meticulously preserved the space exactly as Jackie left it on that fateful morning, transforming it into a living memorial.
Gloria Cazares, a 42-year-old home healthcare nurse, shares her family’s story in the new Netflix short documentary “All The Empty Rooms,” which premieres December 1. The film explores the profound impact of school shootings through the lens of victims’ untouched bedrooms.
For Javier Cazares, 45, a glazer and artist, entering Jackie’s room daily offers a profound connection to his daughter. He recites a nightly prayer they once shared, finding solace in the familiar words, even as he yearns for the joy and vibrancy that once filled the space.
The room itself is a canvas of Jackie’s personality. Walls painted in her favorite purple and pink hues are adorned with a string of LED lights that still glow brightly. Javier’s artistic touch is evident in a glow-in-the-dark unicorn and a fairy swinging on a heart, both painted with fluorescent colors Jackie adored.
Jackie’s fascination with Paris, sparked by the cartoon “Miraculous,” is evident throughout her room. Her pink and white comforter is patterned with miniature Eiffel Towers, and an Eiffel Tower-shaped box holds her cherished jewelry. Plush toys populate her bed, including two Build-A-Bears gifted to the family after her passing, which contain precious recordings of Jackie’s laughter and singing, capturing her kind and responsible spirit.
Gloria recounts attending a special awards ceremony at Robb Elementary on the morning of the shooting, celebrating Jackie’s academic achievements. That was the last time she saw her daughter.
Shortly after leaving the ceremony, Gloria received a text about an active shooter at the school. Her immediate instinct was to drive there, joining other frantic parents as chaos unfolded.
Hours later, at the hospital, Gloria and Javier received the devastating news. Two rangers and a chaplain informed them that nurses needed them to identify a child matching Jackie’s description. It was their daughter.
Three and a half years on, grief remains an ever-present companion for the Cazares family. While some days are more manageable, others bring an overwhelming ache. Sharing Jackie’s story and remembering her bright personality offers a measure of comfort.
The Paris-themed comforter in Jackie’s room serves as a bittersweet reminder of a dream unfulfilled. Jackie had always wanted to visit Paris, a trip her parents had envisioned as a graduation gift. Now, the room stands as a powerful tribute, a preserved sanctuary honoring the memory of their beloved daughter.