Dancing on Her Grave (21 page)

Debbie was looking forward to her first solo in the
FANTASY
extravaganza on the Las Vegas Strip.

Carolina Sarassa

Celeste created this missing person’s flyer for her sister.

Celeste Flores-Narvaez

Mug shot taken of Debbie during one of her reports of domestic violence.

Howard County Police Station, Maryland

Mug shot of Jason Omar Griffith, Debbie’s ex-boyfriend.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department

Griffith awaited his trial at the Clark County jail.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department

Jacinto Rivera, the public information officer for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

Carolina Sarassa

Domestic violence activist Rebeca Ferreira.

Stephanie Gonzalez

Experienced prosecutor Marc DiGiacomo had surprises up his sleeve during the trial.

Marc DiGiacomo

Prosecutor Michelle Fleck gave the final summation after the trial.

Michelle Fleck

Defense attorney Abel Yáñez stated that he would file an appeal on behalf of his client.

Abel Yáñez

Celeste took her sister back to their native Puerto Rico to be buried.

Celeste Flores-Narvaez

Celeste vows to visit Debbie’s gravesite often to “make sure she is happy.”

Celeste Flores-Narvaez

Thank you, Diego Arias, for serving as intermediary between the two of us.

A special thanks to Rene Delgadillo, Sonya Sonnenberg, and Merriliz Monzon, loyal friends of Debbie’s who were always available and willing to speak on her behalf.

We thank former Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department public information officer Jacinto Rivera; news director Adriana Areal; news producers Wilma Roman Abreu, Marisa Venegas, and Jeannette Casal-Miranda; and Dr. Luis Gaviria. Also, a special thanks to news producer Jairo Marín.

Also, thanks to all of those involved in Debbie’s life, like Mia Guerrero, Matthew Guerrero, and Lorenzo Buitrón.

And thanks to Rebeca Ferreira and Annette Scott for your activism, and Olga Hervis for your expertise.

To Celeste Flores-Narvaez, kudos for your eternal
loyalty to your sister, your patience, and your forbearance. Above all, for your passion.

The attorneys were both wonderful. Abel Yáñez, the defense attorney, who was candid and objective, and the stellar and dynamic prosecutor, Marc DiGiacomo. Prosecutor Michelle Fleck, so kind, and also stellar and always articulate. And attorney Luke Ciciliano, personal friend of Debbie’s who represented her once, and here made his presence felt again.

To psychic Gale St. John, thanks for bringing up the name of a “Rosalind” or “Rosalie” who would be involved in this project, which led us to pursue Roselyn Sanchez via Martha Melendez, so thank you Martha. And thanks to another Marta, Marta Sosa, for having us on her radio show to speak with Gale.

To the amazing, talented, and beautiful Roselyn Sanchez, thank you for identifying so strongly with Debbie. You will channel her beautifully and make everyone, as you said, “fall in love with her.”

A very special shout-out to super-agent Linda Langton, who is “absolutely fabulous!”

—Diana Montané and Carolina
Sarassa