Vigil planned for North Jersey woman killed in Dominican Republic night club tragedy
PASSAIC — A vigil will be held Tuesday night to remember Jennifer C. Contreras, the 23-year-old city woman who died in the April 8 Jet Set Night Club tragedy in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Contreras was among 225 others confirmed killed and more than 200 injured when the roof of the iconic nightclub collapsed last week. Sixteen of the deceased were Americans, according to reports.
A graduate of Passaic County Technical Institute in Wayne, Contrreras traveled to the Caribbean nation to celebrate her birthday and the birthdays of family friends, said her brother, Anthony Contreras.
"Jennifer was the most kind hearted, loving, and soft person," Anthony Contreras wrote on the GoFundMe page set up to raise money to help pay for funeral arrangements and to bring her remains back to Passaic. "She was an incredible daughter, sister, friend, cousin, and more."
Family members said they learned of her death on Wednesday, a day after the collapse as rescue workers began to uncover victims of the rood collapse. It would have been her 24th birthday.
Her brother said she was also in Santo Domingo to complete a certification class on eyebrow micropigmentation as she was starting a beauty business.
"It was essentially the last thing she needed," Anthony said of the certification.
Because her remains are in the Dominican Republic, the financial burden of the logistics, mortuary services in both countries, and funeral services in the United States has put a stress on her family, her brother said.
The cost or bringing her remains home and burial, headstone and other costs are expected to be around $35,000. As of Monday the gofundme page had raised in excess of $37,000.
More: Death toll climbs to nearly 200 in Dominican Republic roof collapse: Everything we know
The family thanks the community for the help and kind thoughts and prayers, Passaic Mayor Hector Lora said.
The vigil will be held at 52 Hammond Ave.., at 7 p.m. outside her family home. Passaic will restrict traffic around the vigil.
"We ask that you pray and worship for my sister and our family at this time, " Anthony said on Monday.
Jennifer is also survived by her mother, Dina Marcelo and sister, Luz. The memorial service and funeral details will be made once her remains are returned, the family said.
Officials have said it's too soon to determine why the roof fell. Prosecutors visited the scene on Thursday after rescue crews began packing up and removing heavy equipment.
The devastating accident occurred in the nation's capital of Santo Domingo during a performance by Rubby Pérez, 69, a merengue singer who was performing with his band when the roof collapsed. Pérez was among those who died.
The exact cause of the disaster is currently under investigation. Last Thursday, the Dominican Republic announced the creation of an investigative commission.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Dominican night club collapse: Vigil set for NJ woman killed
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