In Loving Memory of Sandra Marisol Fuentes, 39 — A Life Stolen by Domestic Violence in Berlin, New Hampshire
The Berlin, New Hampshire community is grieving an unspeakable loss after Sandra Marisol Fuentes, age 39, was tragically killed in a domestic violence shooting outside the La Casita restaurant on July 5, 2025. Her death has sent shockwaves through the city and beyond, as friends, loved ones, and advocates for women’s safety come together to mourn a vibrant life lost far too soon.
According to reports, the fatal shooting occurred in the parking lot of La Casita, a familiar local restaurant, where Sandra was gunned down in what police have described as a targeted act of domestic violence. Though details remain under investigation, early findings suggest the incident was the culmination of an abusive relationship that escalated to fatal violence. Emergency responders arrived quickly, but their efforts were in vain. Sandra was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sandra’s passing is not only a devastating personal tragedy for her family and friends, but a harrowing reminder of the realities of intimate partner violence—an epidemic that continues to claim the lives of women and mothers across the nation. She leaves behind not only grieving loved ones but also a deep ache in a community that knew her for her warmth, strength, and the quiet courage she brought to her everyday life.
Described by friends as “kind-hearted, hardworking, and full of light,” Sandra was a woman who loved deeply and gave selflessly. She worked hard to build a peaceful life and provide for her family. Those who knew her remember her laughter, her resilience, and the way she always found a way to lift others—even when she herself was carrying silent burdens.
Her loved ones are now left to pick up the pieces of a life violently cut short, asking questions no family should ever have to face. Why did this happen? Could it have been prevented? And how many more women must be lost before real change is made?
Sandra’s death is part of a grim and ongoing national crisis. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, one in four women will experience severe intimate partner violence in their lifetime. Sandra’s story is tragically common, yet every single instance is unique and deeply personal. Her name, her life, and her story deserve to be remembered—not just as a statistic, but as a full human being with dreams, struggles, and boundless love.
A memorial of flowers and candles has grown outside La Casita, where community members have come to pay their respects, share prayers, and express solidarity with Sandra’s family. Plans for a public vigil are underway, offering a space for mourning and a renewed call for action.
The Fuentes family has requested privacy as they navigate the pain of this loss, but they have also called on others to speak up, support survivors, and fight back against the silence that allows domestic abuse to thrive. They hope Sandra’s memory will not be defined solely by how she died, but by how she lived—with love, strength, and dignity.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help cover funeral expenses and support Sandra’s children and loved ones during this heartbreaking time.
To honor Sandra is to not look away. It is to say her name. To support other women in danger. And to vow—both as individuals and as a society—that we will not let this continue.
For those experiencing domestic violence or seeking help, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text “START” to 88788.
Rest in power, Sandra Marisol Fuentes. You deserved safety. You deserved tomorrow.