Jessica Fabiola Cortez Luna, a 27-year-old Hispanic woman, was tragically killed on December 26, 2020, in Durham, North Carolina. Jessica was visiting family in Durham for the holidays with her four children when the incident occurred. According to reports, Durham police received an assault call at 2:15 a.m. on December 26 and found Jessica dead inside a home on Capstone Drive.
The family was planning to return to Tampa later that day.
Jessica's death was the result of a shooting, and the Durham police quickly identified a suspect in the case. Jorge Maya Gomez, a 28-year-old man from Tampa, was named as the primary suspect. Gomez was considered "armed and dangerous" and was last seen fleeing the scene in a black 2016 Chevrolet 1500 Silverado truck with North Carolina license plate HEW-3881. The police launched a manhunt to apprehend Gomez, who was believed to have a history of domestic violence with Jessica.
Jessica's family was devastated by her death, and her sister, Maria Cortez Luna, expressed their heartbreak. Maria mentioned that Jessica had been a victim of domestic abuse in the past and that the family had feared something like this might happen. The family hoped that sharing Jessica's story would raise awareness about domestic violence and encourage others to seek help before it was too late.
In the aftermath of Jessica's death, the community came together to support her family. Dozens of people gathered in Durham to remember Jessica and show their solidarity with her loved ones. The family also set up a GoFundMe page to help cover expenses and support Jessica's children, who were left without their mother.
The investigation into Jessica's murder continued, with the police working tirelessly to bring Gomez to justice. The case highlighted the ongoing issue of domestic violence and the need for greater awareness and support for victims. Jessica Fabiola Cortez Luna's tragic death serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing domestic violence and ensuring that those affected receive the help and protection they need.