U.S.

'Baby Hope's' Real Name Engraved On Tombstone

Known only as Baby Hope for two decades, the name of the 4-year-old murder victim has finally been put on her headstone.

'Baby Hope's' Real Name Engraved On Tombstone
New York Daily News / Christie M Farriella
SMS

Known only as Baby Hope for two decades, the name of the 4-year-old murder victim has finally been put on her headstone.

Family members, friends and the investigators who worked so hard to explain little Anjelica Castillo's death gathered at her graveside to dedicate the newly-engraved tombstone. (Via WNBC)

Anjelica was found dead and sexually abused inside a cooler on the side of a Manhattan highway back in 1991, but no one was able to identify her until last month. (Via WNYW)

According to the New York Daily News, one of the detectives who was assigned to the case said at the ceremony, "I just want to express my own feelings of joy and happiness that we were able to reach this day and identify Baby Hope and to bring the case to a successful conclusion."

Police were also able to identify her killer — her now 52-year-old cousin Conrado Juarez. He's been arraigned on a murder charge, but his lawyer has reportedly questioned a police confession that led to his arrest. (Via NY1)

Anjelica was buried in St. Raymond's Cemetery in 1993 beneath a marker that read, "Baby Hope." Now, the stone also says, "Identified in 2013 as Anjelica Castillo, born April 24, 1987, Because We Care." (Via WCAU)

Jaurez is due back in court Nov. 21.