SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) – A memorial service was held Friday evening for Yvette Torres, the murdered victim of serial killer Alfred Gaynor nearly 30 years ago.

We caught up with his brother, Jose Torres, before the candlelight vigil on Healey Street.

He explained that although his sister’s death occurred almost three decades ago, he was now ready to say goodbye and let his sister rest in peace.

“When Alfred Gaynor took my sister’s life, he didn’t just take her life, he took my life too,” Jose shared.

The vigil was held outside the apartment where Yvette was murdered by serial killer Alfred Gaynor nearly three decades ago.

“It was such an act of disbelief for a friend to do this to someone. But now I’m at a point where I can finally say goodbye in my own way. Other people wanted this for a long time, but I wasn’t ready,” Jose said.

She said she first learned of her sister’s murder after a frantic phone call from her nephew. He then ran to Healey Street and tried to resuscitate him, but it was too late.

“When I performed CPR on him it felt like the kiss of death, a taste you never forget,” he recalled.

After decades of grief and post-traumatic stress, Torres says she’s ready to move forward.

“It took me this long to finally say: okay, I can let go, he’s in a better place.”

In honor of her sister, Yvette, Torres vowed to advocate for women’s safety in Springfield.

“I think there should be places where women can go and learn about relationships, predators, and anything that can help them with safety.”

Torres said the Gaynor murders are an important part of the city’s history and he won’t let it fade with time.

“I don’t want Springfield to forget my sister or any of my other forgotten sisters, and I hope something good comes out of this rather than a tragedy, more of a triumph.”

Copyright 2024. Western Mass News (WGGB/WSHM). All rights reserved.