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Though he was bullied for his sexuality, Jeremy Sanchez was a pillar of California's South El Monte High School. Now his best friend and alleged ex is accused of his murder.
A 16-year-old boy has been arrested for the murder of 17-year-old high-schooler Jeremy Sanchez, with reports indicating the two were in a relationship that Sanchez recently ended.
The stabbing death of Sanchez, whose body was discovered near the San Gabriel River east of Los Angeles, made headlines across Southern California. Sanchez was a popular athlete who played on the football, baseball, and wrestling teams, but still reportedly endured bullying for his sexual orientation, which his friends described as bisexual. The community was shocked further when his friend and alleged ex-boyfriend was arrested Thursday for the murder.
Police have not named the suspect since he's a minor, but say he asked Sanchez to meet him at the river and killed him there. Sanchez had recently ended their romantic relationship and asked a female student to the prom, according to the Los Angeles Blade.
The underage suspect was the one who first "discovered" Sanchez's body during a community search effort, but his story to police did not add up. The murder weapon has not been found.
Sanchez's death has left his friends and family devastated. He was described as being "happy and upbeat" even though he endured bullying for his alleged bisexuality; bullying that got so severe that he eventually quit both the wrestling and football teams.
A GoFundMe page has been set up for Sanchez's family and their funeral expenses.
