PHOENIX (AZ Family) — Two Valley teenagers were found dead from carbon monoxide poisoning in a tragic crash in Chandler on Tuesday.

Romeo Alvarez’s family is in shock. They say Alvarez’s father died when he was a baby, which motivated him to fill his father’s shoes, moving around the house and caring for his mother and younger sisters.

Wearing her favorite superhero costume under her hat and dress, the 18-year-old gave a special shout-out to her mother by portraying Spider-Man during her speech at Dobson High School’s graduation in May.

“I always try to be the best in everything I do, and that’s because she always pushes me to give 130%,” he said during his graduation speech.

Alvarez’s family says he earned the top grades in his class and earned his EMT certification in high school.

They say he got a full scholarship to ASU and recently moved into the dorm.

He was on his way to achieving more of his big dreams.

“He set a high standard for himself in everything he did,” Eilian Castaneda said.

He says Alvarez is his cousin, but they grew up like brothers.

Even though Castaneda was older, he admired Alvarez and admired his effort and ambition.

“He left such a bright and inspiring impression on everyone he encountered,” Castaneda said.

Family members said everyone celebrated Alvarez’s mother’s birthday together on Sunday.

Later that night, he went to a friend’s house but did not return home.

When no one could contact him Monday, the family reported Alvarez missing to Chandler and ASU police.

“Oh yeah, whatever. He’s 18. When he calls you, he’ll call you back. There was no due diligence behind it,” Castaneda said of his family’s interactions with police.

Thanks to cellphone location data, the family tracked Alvarez to an apartment complex near Ray Road and Arizona Boulevard in Chandler.

Around 3 a.m. Tuesday, police found him and a 17-year-old friend dead in a garage there.

The family believes they died of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning.

“Who knows how long they were in that garage, starting the car and spending time listening to music, you know, time flies and with no air, windows open, who knows. I have no idea,” Castaneda said.

There are still many questions as detectives investigate what happened, but those close to Alvarez hope others will learn to never drive in a garage.

“Carbon monoxide can destroy you in seconds, maybe minutes,” Castaneda said.

A. GoFundMe page created To help with Alvarez’s funeral expenses.

A note sent to Chandler High families lists the other person who died from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning as 17-year-old Marcus Lee.

Chandler police confirmed the teen’s family reported her missing Monday before she was found Tuesday.

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