A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded in Chandler, Arizona, when two Valley teens, Romeo Alvarez and Marcus Lee, were found dead due to what is believed to be carbon monoxide poisoning. Alvarez, 18, a recent Dobson High School graduate, was an ambitious young man with top grades and an EMT certification.
He had just moved into his dorm at Arizona State University on a full scholarship. He was known for his dedication to family and hard work, often taking on the role of a caretaker after losing his father at a young age.
The night before the tragedy, Alvarez celebrated his mother’s birthday with family, but later went to a friend’s house and did not return. After reporting him missing, Alvarez’s family used his phone’s location to track him down to an apartment complex near Ray Road and Arizona Avenue. Around 3 a.m. Tuesday, police discovered him and 17-year-old Marcus Lee dead inside a garage, likely victims of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning.
Family members believe the teens may have been in the garage with a car running, possibly listening to music, which could have led to the fatal exposure to the odorless gas. The family has issued a warning to others about the dangers of running a car in a closed space.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover funeral expenses for Alvarez. The Chandler community is mourning the loss of two bright young lives and grappling with the unanswered questions surrounding this tragic accident.