(Seguin) – Family and friends continue to mourn the loss of a man and woman who tragically drowned Sunday while swimming at the FM 1117 bridge at the Guadalupe River.
The bodies of Cassandra “CJ” Kendrick, 22, of Seguin and Victor Villanueva, 30, of New Braunfels were recovered late Sunday and Monday respectively by emergency rescue teams. Kendrick, described as a “good Samaritan” by the Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office, reportedly went under after helping to rescue Villanueva’s children who had drifted away from a small island located in that area.
Kendrick’s aunt, Donna Boe, says her niece jumped into action after hearing Villanueva’s cry for help. She says by the time she managed to pull out the last child to safety, her head had already gone under and so had Villanueva. It was until after three hours later that Kendrick’s body was recovered. Villanueva wasn’t found until the following day just before 3 p.m.
Boe says she admits her family went back and forth on whether to share this personal tragedy with the media. However, she says by the next day, they all knew that it was important for them to share who she was and not allow others to see her only as a victim.
“She is an absolute hero, and you know what if anyone of us ever had a chance especially me or anybody go out of this world, we’ve always said ‘oh, God, there is only a couple of different ways but being a hero, that just tops it and she’s been a part of that conversation before. She knows — all the way around, a wonderful young lady. You won’t find anybody say a single thing about her that would ever be negative. She is just a 100 percent an amazing person,” said Boe.
Boe says when it came to Kendrick, everything was about family and living her life to the fullest.
“Nothing really ever got to her, nothing really ever stresses her out. She never got upset or angry. I don’t think really hardly ever and if she did, she was just so mellow. She’s very very laid back, a very sweet girl. Every time, she’d see any of us, it was always a hug, always a hug. She got medically discharged from the United States Air Force and that really kind of broke her heart. She wanted to do more but she is a veteran,” said Boe.
Boe says her family isn’t surprised by her actions and her willingness to help someone else.
“We really want people to know who she was, who didn’t get the chance to get to know her — to get the chance to know who she was and that’s where we are really, really focused on that because it wasn’t just some girl, a random act, she was just a good person all the way around every single day of her life,” said Boe.
Kendrick’s family is currently seeking donations to help cover funeral arrangements. A GoFundMe account has been established. Boe says anything that anyone can contribute will be appreciated.
The Seguin Daily News has also reached out to family and friends of Villanueva. They say the family is not quite ready to talk about their loss and Villanueva’s own efforts to save his sons. However, they have begun to mobilize several efforts to also raise money for his wife Norma Moon and their four children who are now left to pick up the pieces.
In addition to a GoFundMe account in Villanueva’s name, the family is planning a beef enchilada plate sale on Saturday, June 26 from noon to 4 p.m. at 822 Schumacher Dr. in New Braunfels. Plates which are $10 will be sold on a first come, first serve basis.