Climbing for Michelle De La Cruz

On October 23, Trina and Pebbles Quevedo will put on 10-pound belts and climb 245 Park Avenue, a total of 43 flights, 855 steps, in memory of their friend, Michelle De La Cruz, who lost her life to domestic violence.

Trina (left) and Pebbles Quevedo pictured with Michelle De La Cruz.

Michelle, affectionately known to her friends as Kween Miche, was shot in the head and killed by her boyfriend, Sergio Azcona, in Washington Heights in the early morning hours of June 13, 2012. Shortly after killing Michelle, Sergio opened fire on the police and then fatally turned the gun on himself.

Michelle's murder was a horrific shock to her family and friends. No one was aware of the lethal danger Michelle would face when she attempted to end her relationship with Sergio.

Support Trina and Pebbles in their climb
to end domestic violence

Or sign-up to climb with team Michelle Kween Mishe De La Cruz!

Trina Quevedo recently spoke with us about her and her sister's upcoming climb.

This will be your fourth climb at Story by Story.
Is the reason you made your first climb the same reason you will climb on October 23?

"Pebbles and I participate in several charity walks. We enjoy walking for exercise and walking for causes. We first signed up for Story by Story because climbing a skyscraper was a new challenge. At that time, I could not have fathomed that in less than a year, I would lose my best friend to domestic violence. I still cannot comprehend that Michelle is gone, that any of this has happened.

"Neither her friends or family knew that Michelle was in an abusive relationship. We were aware that she planned to break up with her boyfriend because he had become very possessive and controlling; Michelle didn't like the way their relationship had turned.

"All of our climbs since Michelle's murder have been in her memory. We do what we can, we share her story and try to raise money so that other people will not be hurt or killed by domestic violence.

"Domestic violence, in any form—physical, verbal, emotional—is unacceptable. Domestic violence is something that many women do not know they are victims of until it's too late."

What would you most like for people to know
about Michelle?

"Michelle was a beautiful, confident young lady. She was filled with dreams and had a clear vision for her future, a vision that she could not wait to put into action. My friend was a bold, carefree spirit. Michelle had many close, dear friends who loved her and who she always supported; she was always there for her friends. Michelle loved her family very much. We all miss her terribly."

Michelle De La Cruz (left) and Trina Quevedo

What do you miss most about your friend?

"I miss that I cannot hear her voice. I miss simple things like nagging her to walk, shopping or going to movies together. I miss our talks, the long, deep talks you have with your best friend."

Can you tell us about the special t-shirt you and your sister will wear for your climb?

"Our shirts were made for us by one of Michelle's friends and represent a few of the things Michelle loved. Pooh Bear was Michelle's special obsession, she loved that bear like it was her own child. Tulips were her favorite flower. I will wear an orange ribbon. Michelle was born in October, she was crazy about orange!"

Is there another way that you wear
Michelle's memory?

"Michelle and I had matching tattoos. She picked out the tattoo; it's a symbol for best friends. I was touched and honored she chose to get a tattoo with me.

"I once asked Michelle, 'Why, of all your friends, did you choose to share a tattoo with me?' She told me that she looked up to me, that I was the strong, independent single mother she would like to be if she was ever to become a single parent. She saw in me things that I could not see in myself; and I saw in her, what I wanted to become.

"Some days my tattoo burns; on those days, I know Michelle
is near."