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Earlier this year, the El Salvador native made the move to the country, where she reunited with longtime boyfriend Gerber Luis Sanchez Centeno, 22, who has since been accused of her murder in Montgomery Village.
According to Cruz Mejía's family, she had spend the last couple years with Sanchez Centeno, who decided to reunite in Maryland, leading to her death.
"(Ten) days after reuniting with Dania and her family, he took advantage of being home alone with her," Maria Cruz said. "There was an argument, which ended with him taking her life, leaving her family, friends, and all who loved her devastated."
Before her death, Cruz Mejía studied at CREA, an evening program for students who are learning English, preparing for their GED, and the studying a vocational career at the same time, with most working during the day and hitting the books at night.
She was less than a month into the program when she was killed.
"I teach English Language Development to the newcomer students," Vivian Salazar said. "Dania started school on (Monday, Aug. 26), excited and motivated to learn with the hopes to grow academically, professionally, and help her mother in El Salvador.
"The last time I saw her was last Monday, (Sept. 16). She came in with a big smile and we had a good evening. During the lessons, she asked questions and did her best to speak English."
Her family says Cruz Mejía was "studying to reach her goals, and had so many dreams.'
"She was a happy person ... a day dreamer ... and now (we have) a huge void in our hearts."
The community has since come together on behalf of the family, which is raising money to host a proper funeral and send her remains back to El Salvador, where "her mother is patiently waiting to say her final goodbyes to her adored baby."
A GoFundme on behalf of Maria Cruz was set up here.
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