The family of slain University of Florida teen Christian Aguilar came together Sunday night for a special mass in Miami on the four-month anniversary of his disappearance.
Family members and friends gathered at Our Lady of Charity for the solemn occasion, where they said they're mentally preparing for the next legal battle.
On Tuesday, Aguilar's one-time friend and accused killer Pedro Bravo will be in court for a hearing.
"We're planning to attend and make sure that they understand that all the family and the community are requesting for justice," father Carlos Aguilar said Sunday.
Alachua County prosecutors say Bravo drugged and suffocated Aguilar, who was last seen alive with Bravo on Sept. 20 at a Gainesville Best Buy. Aguilar's remains were found in a wooded area about 60 miles from Gainesville in Levy County on Oct. 12 after nearly three weeks of searching.
Bravo faces several charges including first-degree murder, kidnapping, depriving a crime victim of medical care, witness tampering, poisoning by food or water, providing law enforcement with false reports, providing law enforcement with false information and the illegal transportation of a dead human body.
His attorney has previously said he will file a not guilty plea. Bravo is being held without bond.
"It has been a nightmare, it's really painful, especially during the holidays," Carlos Aguilar said. "We went through a big depression and right now we're still grieving, we're still doing that."
