‘I’m numb’: Community holds vigil for Salem woman found dead in vacant lot

SALEM Ore. (KPTV) - Traditional songs, prayers, and calls for justice rang out at a vigil in Salem Saturday night for a woman who was reported missing and found dead in a vacant lot with a gunshot wound to the head last week.

This comes after 43-year-old Priscilla Aldana was initially reported missing in December.

“It’s horrible, and I’m numb, I’m numb, and I’m hurt,” said her sister Delia Aldana. “It’s like losing an arm or a leg. You lose something in you.”

Police arrested Aldana’s partner, 44-year-old Erik Meza, on charges of murder, abuse of a corpse and arson.

“It’s hard. It’s hard knowing that we’re not going to see her again. It’s hard knowing that I can’t turn to her. I can’t call her when I’m going through it like it’s rough. A good person gone way, way too soon,” said Aldana’s childhood friend Trisha Chapin.

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Many who attended the vigil helped search for Aldana, and her sister Delia said she was overwhelmed by the support during such a difficult time.

“She has a lot of love, and it makes me feel good; it makes me feel like I’m not alone, like other people are feeling all this pain as well,” said Aldana.

She said it’s her sister’s character that brings such a large crowd.

“My sister was strong, she was compassionate, she was a devoted mother,” said Aldana. “She was amazing, absolutely amazing.”

As emotions rose, each person shared that a new battle was upon them, and they must stick together to get justice for her life.

“Priscilla gave us the strength to look for her, Priscilla gave us the strength to find her, and Priscilla is giving us the strength to go through this.”

Each knew the fight could be tough, and they couldn’t do it alone to achieve it.

“Justice for Priscilla, Justice for Priscilla, Justice for Priscilla,” chants the group at the vigil.

Meza is currently being held without bail and is set to be arraigned on Jan. 21.

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