Murdered teen Kaitlin Hernandez and her sister honored at graduation

SAN ANTONIO — Monday night, the family of the two sisters who were scheduled to take the stage together for their high school graduation sat in the audience as they were honored.

Kaitlin Hernandez, 17, was killed in March. And, for the first time, his family talks about the death of his sister; Kaylee Hernandez, 18, died last fall on November 1st.

Both attended Roosevelt High School. In their place, two family members took the stage Monday night while holding photos of the girls.

“I just wish they were both here so I could actually see them take the stage,” said his grandmother Alicia Hernandez. “That’s what I was waiting for, is for them both to get on stage. I'm so proud.”

San Antonio police said Kaitlin was killed in March by her juvenile neighbor. The family said Kaylee died in November, but the circumstances of her death are still unclear. The circumstances of his death and cause of death are still pending, according to the county medical examiner.

“It's not fair; they won't be here in person, but I know they're hovering over us right now,” said Crystal Barron Rodriguez, the girls' aunt.

Hours before the ceremony, the aunt and grandmother caught up with KENS 5 as they hung graduation decorations at Kaitlin's memorial. It was at the bridge over the ditch that investigators discovered his body.

Kaitlin wanted to be a veterinarian and Kaylee wanted to teach. Even though those dreams were cut short, the family sat in the audience and celebrated what the girls accomplished.

“If you're listening, and I know you are, we're very proud of all of you,” Rodriguez said. “For Kaitlin and for you Kaylee, for achieving this great accomplishment.”

Juvenile charged with murder in Kaitlin's death remains in custody.