Woman killed in domestic violence situation was “Princess Stephanie” to community children
Stephanie Herrera, the woman killed last week in a domestic violence situation was “Princess Stephanie” to children in the community.
Police say Herrera’s 25-year-old boyfriend, Jose Manual Varela, shot and killed Herrera and her father, 45-year-old Enrique Herrera, inside their Far East El Paso home last week. Police say Varela shot and killed himself before crashing into a rock wall five miles away from the murders.
According to a gofundme page, “Enrique was known by many as a humble, hardworking father and husband, who cherished his family with all of his heart and would lend a helping hand to any friend in need. Stephanie was a beautiful, loving person inside and out, who enjoyed making children happy by dressing up as a princess through our company, Dreams Come True Princess Parties (DCTPP).”
According to the co-workers, Stephanie, 25, graduated from UTEP and worked as a therapist visiting children with autism. She also worked with Dreams Come True Princess Parties with her sister. Stephanie worked events and volunteered at El Paso Children’s Hospital.
“Stephanie always warmed a child’s heart with her smile. We met Stephanie when our daughter was a foster child, and she made our daughter feel extremely special. Stephanie became a very special part of our family. She celebrated every birthday as my daughter’s favorite princess. Stephanie touched our hearts with her kind soul in a way nobody ever has,” Chara Beightoll, a DCTPP customer stated on the account.
“I still sometimes feel like there’s no way it’s real, there’s not way she could be gone, but just mostly devastated, there’s no words to describe how heartbroken we are. It just doesn’t seem real,” Sine Phillips told ABC-7.
Phillips and Herrera worked together for five years. Phillips says Herrera loved seeing the children.
“The kids were always just so happy to see her. So happy to see her. They would turn sparkly too, they were just so happy to see her,” Phillips said.
Phillips says Herrera was often the first to volunteer for visits at El Paso Children’s Hospital and Make-A-Wish reveal parties.
“They love her, I know that she’s made a big impact on all of their lives, she made so many dream comes true. She was just so special to all of them. I just don’t even have words for it,” Phillips said.
Rosary and funeral services for the family will be held over the next two days. If you’d like to donate to help raise money for the family, click HERE.
