TAMPA, Fla. — A year after a string of murders in Seminole Heights, friends and relatives are continuing to honor the victims.
- New Season Apostolic Ministries held canned food drive
- Event honored Ronald Felton, who volunteered at church
- Family of Monica Hoffa created special tribute last month
- More Hillsborough County stories
Benjamin Mitchell, Monica Hoffa, Anthony Naiboa and Ronnie Felton were killed in 2017 during that string of murders that terrorized the community.
On Wednesday, New Season Apostolic Ministries held a canned food drive and chicken giveaway in honor of Felton, who volunteered and fed the homeless at the church for a decade.
"He used to come here every morning, help feed the people, help go get the food, put food out," said friend Marlin Pesco. "He was a good hard worker."
Wednesday morning marked exactly a year since Felton was killed. Since his death, the ministry's food pantry was renamed for Felton, and a scholarship dedicated in his honor at the church.
"I miss him greatly," Pesco said.
Meanwhile, the family of victim Monica Hoffa also gathered for a special tribute last month. Hoffa's body was found in October 2017 in a vacant lot in Seminole Heights.
To mark the anniversary of her death, relatives added a special angel memorial near the property where Hoffa was discovered.
"It's hard," said Hoffa's cousin, Yury Gutierrez. "It's very, very hard and the pain is still there. It just gets a little easier to talk about, but doesn't ease the pain."
Gutierrez said she's still hoping for closure, but fears that closure may never come.
Howell Donaldson III was arrested and charged in the Seminole Heights murders on November 29, 2017. His next court date is in January 2019.