Claribel Torres, 36, and Daughter Evangelina Velasquez, 10, Tragically Killed in Hamilton Township Murder-Suicide: Community Reels After Heartbreaking Act of Domestic Violence Leaves Three Dead on Henry Street

Hamilton Township, NJ — The community of Hamilton Township is in deep mourning after a harrowing act of domestic violence ended the lives of Claribel Torres, 36, and her 10-year-old daughter, Evangelina Velasquez, in what authorities have confirmed as a murder-suicide early Thursday morning. The incident occurred in the early hours inside a residence on Henry Street, where emergency responders discovered the lifeless bodies of Torres, her young daughter, and Torres’ boyfriend, Fernando Abel, who, investigators believe, was the perpetrator.

This tragedy has sent ripples of sorrow and shock throughout the quiet residential neighborhood and beyond. What began as an ordinary weekday morning quickly turned into a scene of unimaginable grief for first responders, neighbors, and the surviving family members who are now left to pick up the pieces of a broken life and an unfathomable loss.

A Night of Horror and Loss

At approximately 5:12 a.m. on Thursday, emergency dispatchers received a 911 call from a concerned neighbor reporting loud noises and possible gunshots coming from the Torres residence. Officers from the Hamilton Township Police Department arrived on the scene shortly thereafter and were forced to make a forced entry into the home when no one answered the door.

Inside the house, officers discovered a scene that would haunt even the most experienced among them. The bodies of Claribel Torres and Evangelina Velasquez were found in the master bedroom, both suffering fatal gunshot wounds. A third body, later identified as that of Fernando Abel, 38, was found nearby, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office and the Homicide Task Force immediately launched a joint investigation. Preliminary findings suggest that Abel, who was in a romantic relationship with Torres and living in the residence, fatally shot the mother and child before turning the gun on himself. A handgun, legally registered to Abel, was recovered at the scene.

A Family Shattered: The Voices Left Behind

The loss of Evangelina Velasquez, a fourth-grade student remembered for her wit, warmth, and love for swimming, has devastated her surviving family members, especially her father, Bladimir Velasquez, who shared custody of the child with Torres.

“My only daughter. Strong like me,” he said in a brief but emotionally charged statement. “She was everything. Smart, beautiful, kind. She lit up any room she walked into. I can’t believe she’s gone.”

Evangelina, affectionately called “Eva” by those close to her, was deeply engaged in school and loved attending after-school swimming programs at the local recreation center. Teachers and classmates at George E. Wilson Elementary School, where she was enrolled, were visibly shaken by the news. The school principal issued a statement extending condolences to the family and confirmed that grief counselors had been brought in to support students and staff.

“She was a joy to teach,” said one of her teachers. “Her energy was infectious. She always volunteered to help others. This is an unimaginable loss for our school community.”

Remembering Claribel Torres: A Life Devoted to Her Daughter

Friends and family of Claribel Torres describe her as a loving, dedicated mother who worked hard to provide a safe and nurturing life for her daughter. A lifelong Hamilton Township resident, Claribel was employed at a local medical billing company and was known for her vibrant personality, infectious laughter, and fierce devotion to Evangelina.

“She was a proud mom, always talking about Eva,” said Marisol Sanchez, a longtime friend and coworker. “Everything she did was for her daughter—every choice, every sacrifice. Claribel loved being a mom more than anything else in the world.”

Though Torres and Abel had been in a relationship for several years, those close to her revealed that there had been signs of tension behind closed doors. Some neighbors noted arguments and loud disputes, while others said Claribel had seemed withdrawn in recent months. However, there were no known restraining orders or prior reports of domestic violence formally filed.

The Quiet Escalation of Domestic Violence

Authorities are now piecing together the events that led to this fatal incident. While the investigation remains ongoing, early indications suggest that the murder-suicide was premeditated. Prosecutors confirmed that Abel did not have a history of violent criminal behavior on record, but he had recently lost his job and was reportedly struggling with mental health issues, including depression and bouts of paranoia.

Domestic violence advocates emphasize that this tragedy, like many others, underscores the importance of recognizing red flags—even when no formal reports have been made. Amy Castellano, director of a local domestic violence prevention organization, stated:

“So often, domestic violence exists in silence. It’s not always about visible bruises or 911 calls. It’s about control, fear, isolation. We urge anyone who suspects abuse to reach out—for themselves or others—before it’s too late.”

The community has been reminded that help is available through various 24/7 hotlines and shelters. The New Jersey Domestic Violence Hotline and Women Aware have seen an increase in calls since the news broke, suggesting that the tragedy has already begun to mobilize greater awareness.

An Entire Neighborhood in Mourning

The quiet stretch of Henry Street where the family lived has now become a site of collective mourning. Neighbors have gathered to leave candles, flowers, teddy bears, and hand-written notes outside the home. A growing memorial honors the lives lost, particularly young Evangelina, whose smiling school portrait now stands surrounded by tributes from classmates and teachers.

“She was our neighborhood’s bright spot,” said Tyrone Jenkins, a neighbor whose daughter often played with Evangelina. “She was always riding her bike, saying ‘hello’ to everyone. We watched her grow up. This just doesn’t seem real.”

A community vigil has been scheduled for the upcoming weekend at Veterans Park, where friends, family, and community members will gather to remember the lives lost and raise awareness about domestic violence prevention.

A Call to Action in the Wake of Grief

In the aftermath of this heartbreaking event, community leaders, school officials, and social workers are coming together to offer support and initiate dialogue. The tragedy has sparked conversations about how communities can do more to prevent domestic violence, how schools can better support vulnerable students, and how neighbors can recognize signs of abuse and intervene safely.

Hamilton Township Mayor Maria Whalen addressed the tragedy in a public statement:

“This is a dark moment for our town. We grieve for Claribel, Evangelina, and all who loved them. But grief must be paired with action. We must work together to ensure families in distress have pathways to safety and that mental health and domestic violence resources are known and accessible.”

Plans are underway to establish a local task force aimed at improving domestic violence outreach and prevention strategies in Hamilton Township. The initiative will include free training workshops, educational sessions for schools, and a community resource hub.

The Road Ahead: Healing Through Unity

For the Velasquez family and those closest to Claribel and Evangelina, the days ahead will be filled with unimaginable sorrow. Grief counselors have been assigned not only to Evangelina’s school but also to assist the wider circle of family and friends affected by the trauma.

A GoFundMe campaign has been organized by family members to help cover funeral costs and to establish a scholarship fund in Evangelina’s name, aimed at supporting other children in the community with dreams of swimming or academic achievement.

Despite the pain, the community is rallying together, refusing to let the story end in silence. A mural project is being planned to honor Evangelina’s memory, likely to be placed near her school or the local swimming center where she spent so many joyful hours.

Final Reflections

This devastating act of violence has taken three lives, robbed a father of his only child, silenced a mother’s laughter, and stolen a young girl’s future. But it has also stirred a community to action. As Hamilton Township grieves, it also remembers, and through remembrance, it finds resolve.

Claribel Torres and Evangelina Velasquez will not be forgotten. Their names will live on in the hearts of those who knew them, in the lessons drawn from this tragedy, and in every effort made to prevent such a horror from ever occurring again.

They were more than victims of violence. They were a mother and daughter, vibrant and full of life. And their story now becomes a call—for empathy, for awareness, and for change.

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