Rochel O’Neal Zuniga, a 28-year-old from Odessa, Texas, died on April 27, 2018, at her home. Born November 21, 1989, in McAllen, Texas, she worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant and was the mother of daughter Genesis Ayleen Zuniga. Rochel’s death is described as the result of a domestic violence incident involving Jerome Nelson, who was in an on-and-off relationship with her and was considered her common-law husband.

Police found Rochel holding a shotgun and a revolver on the bed. Nelson said Rochel woke him by pointing a gun at his face; he said he took that gun from her, she then grabbed a shotgun, and he shot her with the revolver he had taken. An Ector County court later found Jerome Nelson guilty of Rochel’s murder in September 2021; he was sentenced to life in prison. Rochel’s family, including her twin sister Symela Haun-Ruelas, has been active in raising awareness about domestic violence.

Are there readers who knew Rochel or have information about her life and the events that led to that night?