LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (UALR) - Classmates and friends of Patricia Guardado, the UALR student who was found murdered last year, are commemorating the one-year anniversary of her death.
On Oct. 12, 2011, Guardado's car was found in a private parking lot across the street from the UALR campus. She didn't show up for class that day, and family members later reported her missing. Her body was found in a pond near Sweet Home four days later on Oct. 16.
"Her peers really liked her a lot. She was always well regarded, always respectful and very professional for a student," remembered UALR Dr. Erin Finzer, who helped organize a memorial.
Students set up an altar in Guardado's honor Oct. 5 and will maintain it through Nov. 3, in observance of the Mexican Day of the Dead. The altar is located on the second floor of the Donaghey Student Center to allow students and community members the opportunity to celebrate Patricia's life.
Dr. Finzer and some of her students also made a book in her honor.
"It gives the story of Patricia as a member of our classroom and also gives statistics about women killed in femocides and latin America and in Guatamala," said Finzer.
A memorial vigil will be held at 7:30 p.m. Wed., October 17th. Students will gather in the mall area in front of UALR's Donaghey Student Center. The event is open to the public and will commemorate not only Guardado, but also other
victims of violence against women. They will also accept donations for Safe Places, a Little Rock non-profit that helps victims of violence.
Over the year, this case has turned cold, with no leads or information that can help lead to the arrest.
Little Rock police urge anyone with information to come forward and help solve the mystery of Guardado's death.