Family, friends remember anti-gang advocate Evelyn Rodriguez

<p>A Brentwood mother who became an anti-gang activist after her daughter was allegedly murdered by MS-13 was remembered at her wake on Thursday.</p>

News 12 Staff

Sep 20, 2018, 3:38 PM

Updated 2,042 days ago

Share:

A Brentwood mother who became an anti-gang activist after her daughter was allegedly murdered by MS-13 was remembered at her wake on Thursday.
Last Friday, Evelyn Rodriguez was run over by an SUV just before a planned vigil marking the second anniversary of the deaths of her daughter, Kayla Cuevas, and Nisa Mickens.
News 12 was on the scene at the time of the incident. Video shows Rodriguez and Kayla’s father Freddy Cuevas in a confrontation with the driver of the SUV. News 12 was told that the driver was a relative to the homeowner, who dismantled a memorial to the teens that was placed in front of their home.
On Thursday, family and friends remembered Rodriguez at the same funeral home that buried Kayla.
“She was always giving hugs to everyone and comforting us all through every trial we face,” said Nicole Abbott, of St. James. “She was always there for everyone around her.”
Hours before her death, Rodriguez spoke to News 12 about the pain of losing her daughter and her gratitude to the community for lifting her in her darkest hour.
“Thank you for your continued support and prayers. It's hard,” she said.
Suffolk police and the district attorney's office say they're continuing their investigation into Rodriguez's death.
Rodriguez’s funeral Mass will be held Friday morning at St. Anne's Church. She will then be buried alongside her daughter in Central Islip.


More from News 12
1:57
3 families displaced by fast-moving fire at North Amityville home

3 families displaced by fast-moving fire at North Amityville home

2:02
Sunny and mild Tuesday before rain returns Wednesday

Sunny and mild Tuesday before rain returns Wednesday

2:53
Sachem schools consider staffing and program cuts, piercing tax cap as budget vote looms

Sachem schools consider staffing and program cuts, piercing tax cap as budget vote looms

0:29
Jericho named Long Island's top rated high school by U.S. News and World Report

Jericho named Long Island's top rated high school by U.S. News and World Report

0:51
NCC working with food truck vendors to provide food for rest of semester

NCC working with food truck vendors to provide food for rest of semester

0:26
USDA warns of ground beef that may be contaminated with E.coli

USDA warns of ground beef that may be contaminated with E.coli

Is your mom awesome? Long Island tell us why your Mom Rocks!

Is your mom awesome? Long Island tell us why your Mom Rocks!

1:42
Made on Long Island: Nicolock Paving Stones in Lindenhurst

Made on Long Island: Nicolock Paving Stones in Lindenhurst

0:48
9 steps to take if your ‘fur-ever’ friend goes missing

9 steps to take if your ‘fur-ever’ friend goes missing

0:51
State police: Trooper struck in the face by combative driver during Southern State Parkway traffic stop

State police: Trooper struck in the face by combative driver during Southern State Parkway traffic stop

1:54
Ronkonkoma woman pleads not guilty to 49 counts of animal cruelty

Ronkonkoma woman pleads not guilty to 49 counts of animal cruelty

1:33
Hampton Bays woman retrieves phone, wallet she accidently dumped into recycling bin nearly 3 weeks ago

Hampton Bays woman retrieves phone, wallet she accidently dumped into recycling bin nearly 3 weeks ago

1:55
Long Islanders taught about dangers of toxic pollutants in drinking water

Long Islanders taught about dangers of toxic pollutants in drinking water

0:16
Police: Long Beach man punched nurse in abdomen at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital

Police: Long Beach man punched nurse in abdomen at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital

1:59
Long Island gets introduced to matzah pizza; proceeds will go toward charities

Long Island gets introduced to matzah pizza; proceeds will go toward charities

0:32
Spartans chosen as new mascot for Brentwood school district

Spartans chosen as new mascot for Brentwood school district

0:19
Police: 2 people hospitalized following Lawrence crash

Police: 2 people hospitalized following Lawrence crash

2:12
Amityville schools to receive $2 million from new state budget to help reduce budget deficit, save jobs

Amityville schools to receive $2 million from new state budget to help reduce budget deficit, save jobs

0:17
Man wanted for stealing $1,000 in merchandise from Centereach store

Man wanted for stealing $1,000 in merchandise from Centereach store

0:48
Nonprofit environmental group hosts discussion on climate change at Jones Beach event

Nonprofit environmental group hosts discussion on climate change at Jones Beach event