VALLEY VIEW, Texas — As a North Texas community begins to pick up the pieces, more information is being found about the victims of a deadly reported tornado that hit Cooke County on Saturday evening.
Seven people were killed and more than 100 others injured in the disaster, officials said. The tornado also leveled homes and structures across Denton, Cooke and Collin Counties.
Two victims were identified on Monday as 2-year-old Essence McCrary and her brother 5-year-old Tyrique McCrary. A county official confirmed to WFAA that they found the two siblings in the pond behind a neighbor's home.
Their 12-year-old sister Zamiya is hospitalized with back injuries. She was babysitting her siblings when her mother left to go pick up her husband from work before their home was swept off its foundation, witnesses told WFAA.
Victor Ortiz was also killed, WFFA confirmed Monday. He was a father and a grandfather. Other members of his family were also injured. They set up a GoFundMe to help with essential resources and funeral arrangements.
Llyod Watson was the seventh victim confirmed dead after the the EF-3 tornado swept through the area.
Sunday, three other victims that were killed were identified as Miranda, Marco and Laura Esparza. Laura Esparza was the mother of Miranda, 15, and Marco, 9.
“I am very sad for them to have lost their lives, God only knows why this happened,” the kids' aunt, Irma Cancino, said in Spanish, weeping. “It’s the deepest pain I’ve ever felt in my heart."
Cancino is their father's sister. He survived, she said, but is undergoing serious surgery.
Marco and Miranda have two surviving siblings. Marco loved to talk, tell stories and play soccer, Cancino said. Miranda loved school and volleyball.
The family is in need of help paying for funeral expenses. Anyone wishing to help can do so by donating to their GoFundMe here.
Gabriel Landeros lived a few doors down from the Esparzas. He told WFAA he found their bodies and covered them with blankets until first responders could arrive.
“I covered them with blankets, I felt sad, I didn’t sleep all night," he told WFAA in Spanish. "I watched over their bodies, I was scared stray dogs would get to them."
Landeros told WFAA he and his son narrowly survived the tornado in his truck. It felt like the truck flew in the air, he said, and a tree pierced through it. He said he’s worked his whole life to afford his home, has no insurance, and nothing left.
“We lost everything, we’re on the street…My soul breaks, I have no explanation,” he said.
WFAA was with Landeros as he burned all of his destroyed belongings in a fire pit.
His family and friends have created this GoFundMe to help him and his kids get back on their feet.
Fiancees Raven Miller and Garrett Tefler’s home is entirely gone. Only the porch is left standing.
“[Our home was] somewhere we were comfortable,” Miller cried. “And laughed and danced in the kitchen together…somewhere for our kids to make memories… you know?”
“Being a father it's on you to be the protector,” Telfer said. “But you can’t battle something like this.”
Telfer and Miller were supposed to get married in September but told WFAA they probably can't now because they have no clothing for their children, no cars to drive to work and no home to live in.
“It’s devastating, it’s everything we had so, it’s gone,” Telfer said.
Miller told WFAA she left a past abusive relationship years ago. She worked hard, saved up, bought a car and a place to raise her kids. She was so proud of the car and home she now lost.
Millers' friend has created this GoFundMe for her and Telfer to rebuild.
The Valley View Community Center will open Tuesday morning for tornado victims to come for assistance and apply for emergency aide, food relief, and more.
For anyone wanting to help the victims, click here for more info.