Trust fund set up for murdered mom’s kids
A bank account has been established for the children of a Cape Coral woman who police said was fatally shot Saturday by her boyfriend at their home.
Kelly Kristen Abrams, 31, was shot and killed by Ricardo Marrero, 44, at about 4:10 p.m. at 2731 S.W. Second Lane, according to a police report. Marrero then fatally shot himself. Both were pronounced dead on scene.
Property Debt Research Inc., where Abrams worked for two years as an operations manager and client relations, has set up an account at Wachovia for Abram’s daughter and son, 7-year-old Jordan and 5-year-old Nathan. The account will serve as a trust fund for the children’s higher education needs.
“She was a very special part of our company and everyone here, so we wanted to make sure we were able to help take care of the kids,” Brooke Mitchell, president of Property Debt Research Inc., said.
“They were her whole life,” she added.
According to Mitchell, Abrams served as the “face of the company” by interacting with clients on a professional but also friendly level on a daily basis. She said Abrams always made each person feel special and always made it a point to talk to everyone in the office.
“She was always a bright light, always shining, always smiling. She was always in a good mood,” Mitchell said. “She impacted everyone that she touched.”
According to the police report, the shootings took place when Abrams took steps to end her relationship with Marrero. She had packed up his belongings at the home they shared, and then called Marrero at work to tell him where he could pick up his things. About 15 minutes later, he arrived at the home.
Witnesses, who were present to support Abrams in the breakup, told police that Marrero walked into the home and Abrams followed him to a bedroom in the back.
After hearing Abrams scream, one witness went for the bedroom. The witness saw Marrero hold Abrams by her hair and shoot her in the head.
According to the report, the witness ran from the room yelling “he just shot her” and then dialed 911. Marrero was reportedly angry and he and Abrams were arguing in the back bedroom before he fatally shot her and then turned the gun on himself. A revolver was located on the floor.
Four children were present in the home at the time of the shootings, police reported.
None of the children, nor any of the witnesses, sustained injuries.
According to jail booking records, Marrero had no prior arrests in Lee County.
To donate to the fund, visit any Wachovia branch and designate the funds for the Property Debt Research Education Trust FBO Jordan and Nathan Abrams.