Family remembers Alma Del Real at visitation

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -

A visitation was held for Alma Del Real on Sunday. In April, Alma Del Real disappeared without a trace. 

In May her body was found in a rural area near Culver, Indiana.

According to police her killer is a man who helped in her search efforts and was considered her friend.

Gabriela Del Real said, “It's been unbelievable for the last couple of weeks, what my family has been through. I still feel like this is like a nightmare, a very bad dream.”

At the visitation at Alford's Mortuary, family and friends prayed for Alma's soul. 

Del Real, “I love Alma so much and I feel she's right here in my heart. She's next to me all the time. Talking to her all the time.”

Investigators charged 24-year-old Alberto Cruz with her murder. Cruz pleaded not guilty to the crime, and while he sits in jail, Alma's family is left wondering why.

Del Real said,“It's just so hard to think that she's not physically present anymore.”

In Alma's honor her family wore white to her visitation instead of black. 

Del Real said, “Always very happy and had a great spirit and she hated funerals. She didn't like to go to funerals. That's why we're wearing white in her honor.”

Gabriela said Alma's mom was just granted a VISA to come to Indiana from Mexico to mourn the loss of her daughter. 

Del Real said, “My sister, she needs the help a lot. She has a kid with special needs that is very hard for her to leave her kid behind. And to come and say the last goodbyes to her daughter.”

Del Real said they are also trying to get VISA's for other family members in Mexico so they can wish Alma goodbye. 

If you would like to help Alma Del Real's family pay for funeral costs, there is a memorial set up at Wells Fargo. 

On Monday there is a memorial mass for Alma at 6 p.m. at Our Lady of Hungary Catholic Church in South Bend.