NEW JERSEY (PIX11) – A Passaic Family is getting ready for the final goodbye of one of their own.
Jennifer Contreras is among the 231 fatal victims of the Jet Set nightclub roof collapse in Santo Domingo. She was found dead by her sister under the rubble of the nightclub on the same day she would’ve turned 24 years old.
“I still don’t want to believe it, I still want to believe she is on vacation. But I already accepted the fact because I was the one there looking for her,” said Luz Contreras.
The remains of her sister, Jennifer Contreras, were repatriated from the Dominican Republic on Thursday. Outside of their Passaic home, there is a memorial in her memory, as funeral services began Friday evening. Jennifer was at the Jet Set nightclub with four other friends who were also killed.
“How did you find out she was among those who died?” PIX11 News asked.
“One of her friends called, that was friends with one of the friends in the group, and confirmed that she was there,” stated Luz.
According to Luz, the autopsy revealed her sister died instantly on that tragic Tuesday morning.
“I found her on her birthday, she was found under the rubble, and I had to identify her at the Jet Set. I just broke down because she’s my little sister. Why would I want to see my little sister like that? Thankfully, my sister was identifiable, but some people didn’t get so lucky as her; they were unrecognizable.”
Jennifer had traveled to the Dominican Republic for a cosmetology class. She was also a huge fan of Rubby Perez, who was performing on that night.
“She loved Rubby Perez, we’ve gone to see him a few times here, we would always sing his songs at home,” said Contreras.
Luz told PIX11 News that they will file a lawsuit against the owner of the Jet Set nightclub, Antonio Espaillat.
Other family members of the victims have already taken legal action. Espaillat had previously stated he is being fully transparent and is cooperating with authorities.
“The money is not bringing my sister back, sadly, he needs to go to jail, because you killed hundreds, of like you didn’t kill just my sister,” added Contreras.
A sister, Luz, was described as a bundle of joy with incomparable charisma and charm.
“She is that ‘it’ girl, she loved being dress up, she loved her heels,” said Contreras.
The two sisters had big dreams, including opening a beauty salon together. Dreams, Luz said, were not buried, and she will keep them alive.
“I am going to still continue, and her name is still gonna be part of it, no matter what. I love my sister, and she knows she was my best friend,” concluded Contreras.
In addition to her older sister, Luz, Jennifer Contreras is survived by her parents and a younger brother.
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