Advertisement

Melissa Katherine Rodriguez

Advertisement

Melissa Katherine Rodriguez

Birth
Death
14 Aug 2013 (aged 19)
Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska, USA
Burial
Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska, USA Add to Map
Memorial ID
View Source
Preceded in death by grandfather Jerry "Butch" Earnest. Survived by parents, Angie and Adan Rodriguez; sisters, Mikaela, Nicole and Maria Rodriguez; brother, Adan Wyant; grandmother, Shirley Earnest; grandparents, Nicolas Rodriguez and Clara Salazar; nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends. FUNERAL MASS Monday 9:30am Holy Ghost Catholic Church. VISITATION Sunday 3-7pm at Holy Ghost Church with 6pm Vigil Service also at the church. Interment St. Mary Magdalene Cemetery. KORISKO LARKIN STASKIEWICZ FUNERAL HOME
5108 "F" St. 402-731-1234
--------------------------------------
From the Omaha World Herald Newspaper:
Nineteen-year-old Mikael D Loyd, picked up earlier for questioning in the death of Melissa Rodriguez, has been booked on a charge of First-Degree Murder.

He was arrested on a domestic violence warrant; questioned and booked Friday night.

As police try to reconstruct the events that led to her murder, her family is sharing information about a troubled relationship she had.

Melissa's father, Adan Rodriguez, told us Friday that they had contacted police about her boyfriend a week ago when Melissa came home with bruises all over the side of her body. Mr. Rodriguez told us earlier that she had been in an abusive relationship for three months.

As family members shared those concerns, others who knew Melissa shared their memories of the dancer, athlete and friend.

Melissa Rodriguez graduated from South High last year and principal Cara Riggs told us,"She had lots of friends. Her teachers adored her. When you love hard, it hurts more."

The principal says her daughter knew Melissa well. Riggs told us, "She shared stories last night of rooming with her. Ironically she was wearing a sweatshirt yesterday she had borrowed from Melissa."

Melissa's body was found Thursday morning in a newly-dug grave at Graceland Park Cemetery; 42 and L - six blocks from her home.

One of her longtime neighbors was struggling with the loss. "She was just walking by yesterday. Everything they did was right. Mom and Dad did right. I think she got into a bad spot."

The grave where Melissa's body was found is where 28-year-old Kevin McIntyre was to have been interred Thursday. McIntyre was shot and killed near 27th and Spencer earlier this month. His twin brother Branden McIntyre was shot and wounded. The person responsible for the gunfire was not charged. Prosecutors said the shooting appears to have been justifiable.

At first, investigators considered the cases could be connected. But soon dismissed the theory after a closer examination of the circumstances.

A funeral service was held for Kevin McIntyre in South Omaha on Thursday but burial has been delayed.

Melissa's body was found in that grave shortly before 10 o'clock Thursday morning. The grave was dug on Wednesday.

The cemetery closes at dusk and the main entrance is locked. We noticed detectives looking at a large gap in a chain link fence not far from the gravesite.

Hitchcock Park is to the immediate south of cemetery; homes to the west.

Anyone with information regarding the Rodriguez homicide investigation is urged to call a tipline (402-444-7867) where you can remain anonymous and be eligible for a $1,000 reward.
-----------------------------------
8-20-13 Omaha World Herald
Melissa Rodriguez met her death at Hitchcock Park, where her boyfriend told investigators, he strangled her during an argument, stripped off some of her clothing, then dumped her in an open grave he had spied in a nearby cemetery.

Prosecutors provided that and other details about Mikael Loyd's alleged confession during a court appearance Tuesday.

Loyd is charged with first-degree murder. A judge granted prosecutors' request that Loyd, 19, be held without bail in the slaying of Rodriguez, also 19.

Prosecutors said Loyd told investigators that he and Rodriguez met at Hitchcock Park near 42nd and Q Streets on Aug. 14.

The pair argued, made up and argued again, he told investigators.

He ultimately killed Rodriguez, prosecutors told the judge, because she reminded him of his mother — who, he told investigators, he blames for his father's 1995 homicide.

Rodriguez's body was found the following morning at Graceland Park Cemetery at 42nd and L Streets. Workers arrived at the cemetery to place a burial vault inside a freshly dug grave just before 10 a.m. and discovered the body inside.

The grave - the cemetery's only open grave that day - was intended for another recent homicide victim, Kevin F. McIntyre, 28, who was shot and killed Aug. 4.

Loyd told police that after he killed Rodriguez, he dragged her to the grave. But before dumping her inside, prosecutors said, Loyd stripped Rodriguez of her underwear and took her cell phone. He told investigators that he dumped the phone in a dumpster near 24th and Leavenworth.

Loyd's grandmother said in an interview following the hearing that her grandson has a history of mental health problems, including depression. She said both Loyd's and Rodriguez's families had told the pair that they were better off apart because the relationship was so rocky.

But Loyd's aunt, who declined to be named, said "they wouldn't stay away from each other. She was fighting him, he was fighting her."

Social media posts from friends indicate the couple's relationship had long been rocky and at time abusive. Police were called June 11 to Rodriguez's home and told that Loyd had grabbed Rodriguez by her arms, where she had bruises, during an argument.

She also had bruises on her legs, but she did not indicate whether those were caused by Loyd, according to court documents.

Rodriguez at the time told officers she was "fine" and did not want to press charges. But her relatives remained concerned and later called a detective to say Loyd had taken Rodriguez's cellphone, leaving her out of touch.

At her relatives' urging, Rodriguez had recently left Loyd and returned to her parents' home, according to social media posts from friends. The home is about a mile from the cemetery. At some point Thursday, she decided to meet up with Loyd in the park.

Rodriguez, who was about to begin her sophomore year at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, had been a varsity softball player and performer with the dance team at South High School.
-------------------------------------------
8-29-2013 Omaha World Herald -
The Omaha South High School softball team released balloons Thursday in honor of former teammate Melissa Rodriguez, who was slain earlier this month.

The Packers dedicated their game against Omaha Northwest to Rodriguez, a 2012 South graduate.

The dance team – Rodriguez had been a member – also performed, and one of her relatives sang the national anthem.

Rodriguez, 19, was "just a great student who was loved by everyone," said Roni Huerta, the school's athletic director.

She was killed Aug. 14, authorities say. Her body was discovered the following day in a freshly dug grave at a South Omaha cemetery.

Her boyfriend, Mikael Loyd, has been charged with first-degree murder. He's being held without bail at the Douglas County Jail.

Prosecutors say Loyd, also 19, told investigators that he and Rodriguez met at Hitchcock Park, where the pair argued, made up and argued again.

He later strangled Rodriguez, prosecutors say.

The couple's relationship had been tumultuous.

Rodriguez's parents called police in June after seeing bruises on their daughter, and an arrest warrant was issued for Loyd.

He wasn't arrested on that charge until after Rodriguez was found dead.
Preceded in death by grandfather Jerry "Butch" Earnest. Survived by parents, Angie and Adan Rodriguez; sisters, Mikaela, Nicole and Maria Rodriguez; brother, Adan Wyant; grandmother, Shirley Earnest; grandparents, Nicolas Rodriguez and Clara Salazar; nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends. FUNERAL MASS Monday 9:30am Holy Ghost Catholic Church. VISITATION Sunday 3-7pm at Holy Ghost Church with 6pm Vigil Service also at the church. Interment St. Mary Magdalene Cemetery. KORISKO LARKIN STASKIEWICZ FUNERAL HOME
5108 "F" St. 402-731-1234
--------------------------------------
From the Omaha World Herald Newspaper:
Nineteen-year-old Mikael D Loyd, picked up earlier for questioning in the death of Melissa Rodriguez, has been booked on a charge of First-Degree Murder.

He was arrested on a domestic violence warrant; questioned and booked Friday night.

As police try to reconstruct the events that led to her murder, her family is sharing information about a troubled relationship she had.

Melissa's father, Adan Rodriguez, told us Friday that they had contacted police about her boyfriend a week ago when Melissa came home with bruises all over the side of her body. Mr. Rodriguez told us earlier that she had been in an abusive relationship for three months.

As family members shared those concerns, others who knew Melissa shared their memories of the dancer, athlete and friend.

Melissa Rodriguez graduated from South High last year and principal Cara Riggs told us,"She had lots of friends. Her teachers adored her. When you love hard, it hurts more."

The principal says her daughter knew Melissa well. Riggs told us, "She shared stories last night of rooming with her. Ironically she was wearing a sweatshirt yesterday she had borrowed from Melissa."

Melissa's body was found Thursday morning in a newly-dug grave at Graceland Park Cemetery; 42 and L - six blocks from her home.

One of her longtime neighbors was struggling with the loss. "She was just walking by yesterday. Everything they did was right. Mom and Dad did right. I think she got into a bad spot."

The grave where Melissa's body was found is where 28-year-old Kevin McIntyre was to have been interred Thursday. McIntyre was shot and killed near 27th and Spencer earlier this month. His twin brother Branden McIntyre was shot and wounded. The person responsible for the gunfire was not charged. Prosecutors said the shooting appears to have been justifiable.

At first, investigators considered the cases could be connected. But soon dismissed the theory after a closer examination of the circumstances.

A funeral service was held for Kevin McIntyre in South Omaha on Thursday but burial has been delayed.

Melissa's body was found in that grave shortly before 10 o'clock Thursday morning. The grave was dug on Wednesday.

The cemetery closes at dusk and the main entrance is locked. We noticed detectives looking at a large gap in a chain link fence not far from the gravesite.

Hitchcock Park is to the immediate south of cemetery; homes to the west.

Anyone with information regarding the Rodriguez homicide investigation is urged to call a tipline (402-444-7867) where you can remain anonymous and be eligible for a $1,000 reward.
-----------------------------------
8-20-13 Omaha World Herald
Melissa Rodriguez met her death at Hitchcock Park, where her boyfriend told investigators, he strangled her during an argument, stripped off some of her clothing, then dumped her in an open grave he had spied in a nearby cemetery.

Prosecutors provided that and other details about Mikael Loyd's alleged confession during a court appearance Tuesday.

Loyd is charged with first-degree murder. A judge granted prosecutors' request that Loyd, 19, be held without bail in the slaying of Rodriguez, also 19.

Prosecutors said Loyd told investigators that he and Rodriguez met at Hitchcock Park near 42nd and Q Streets on Aug. 14.

The pair argued, made up and argued again, he told investigators.

He ultimately killed Rodriguez, prosecutors told the judge, because she reminded him of his mother — who, he told investigators, he blames for his father's 1995 homicide.

Rodriguez's body was found the following morning at Graceland Park Cemetery at 42nd and L Streets. Workers arrived at the cemetery to place a burial vault inside a freshly dug grave just before 10 a.m. and discovered the body inside.

The grave - the cemetery's only open grave that day - was intended for another recent homicide victim, Kevin F. McIntyre, 28, who was shot and killed Aug. 4.

Loyd told police that after he killed Rodriguez, he dragged her to the grave. But before dumping her inside, prosecutors said, Loyd stripped Rodriguez of her underwear and took her cell phone. He told investigators that he dumped the phone in a dumpster near 24th and Leavenworth.

Loyd's grandmother said in an interview following the hearing that her grandson has a history of mental health problems, including depression. She said both Loyd's and Rodriguez's families had told the pair that they were better off apart because the relationship was so rocky.

But Loyd's aunt, who declined to be named, said "they wouldn't stay away from each other. She was fighting him, he was fighting her."

Social media posts from friends indicate the couple's relationship had long been rocky and at time abusive. Police were called June 11 to Rodriguez's home and told that Loyd had grabbed Rodriguez by her arms, where she had bruises, during an argument.

She also had bruises on her legs, but she did not indicate whether those were caused by Loyd, according to court documents.

Rodriguez at the time told officers she was "fine" and did not want to press charges. But her relatives remained concerned and later called a detective to say Loyd had taken Rodriguez's cellphone, leaving her out of touch.

At her relatives' urging, Rodriguez had recently left Loyd and returned to her parents' home, according to social media posts from friends. The home is about a mile from the cemetery. At some point Thursday, she decided to meet up with Loyd in the park.

Rodriguez, who was about to begin her sophomore year at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, had been a varsity softball player and performer with the dance team at South High School.
-------------------------------------------
8-29-2013 Omaha World Herald -
The Omaha South High School softball team released balloons Thursday in honor of former teammate Melissa Rodriguez, who was slain earlier this month.

The Packers dedicated their game against Omaha Northwest to Rodriguez, a 2012 South graduate.

The dance team – Rodriguez had been a member – also performed, and one of her relatives sang the national anthem.

Rodriguez, 19, was "just a great student who was loved by everyone," said Roni Huerta, the school's athletic director.

She was killed Aug. 14, authorities say. Her body was discovered the following day in a freshly dug grave at a South Omaha cemetery.

Her boyfriend, Mikael Loyd, has been charged with first-degree murder. He's being held without bail at the Douglas County Jail.

Prosecutors say Loyd, also 19, told investigators that he and Rodriguez met at Hitchcock Park, where the pair argued, made up and argued again.

He later strangled Rodriguez, prosecutors say.

The couple's relationship had been tumultuous.

Rodriguez's parents called police in June after seeing bruises on their daughter, and an arrest warrant was issued for Loyd.

He wasn't arrested on that charge until after Rodriguez was found dead.

Sponsored by Ancestry

Advertisement