A vigil is held for the victim of the Springfield serial killer

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) – A vigil was held Friday night for Yvette Torres, a murder victim of serial killer Alfred Gaynor nearly 30 years ago.

We spoke to her brother Jose Torres ahead of the candlelight vigil on Healey Street.

He explained that although his sister’s death occurred almost thirty years ago, it is only now that he is ready to say goodbye and let his sister rest in peace.

“When Alfred Gaynor took my sister’s life, he not only took her life, he took my life,” Jose said.

The vigil was held in front of the apartment where Yvette was murdered by serial killer Alfred Gaynor almost thirty years ago.

“It was a complete disbelief that a friend would do that to someone. But I’m now at the point where I can finally say goodbye in my own way. Other people have wanted this for a long time, but I wasn’t ready for it yet,” said Jose.

He said he first heard about his sister’s murder after receiving a frantic phone call from his cousin. He then rushed to Healey Street and tried to revive her, but it was too late.

“When I gave her CPR it felt like the kiss of death, it’s a taste you never forget,” he recalls.

After decades of grief and post-traumatic stress, Torres says he’s ready to move on.

“It took me so long to finally say, okay, I can let it go, she’s in a better place.”

In honor of his sister Yvette, Torres has vowed to advocate for the safety of women in Springfield.

“I think there should be places where women can go and learn about relationships, predators, anything that can help them with safety.”

Torres called Gaynor’s murders an important part of the city’s history that he won’t let disappear with time.

“I don’t want Springfield to forget my sister or the other forgotten sisters, and hopefully something good will come out of this instead of a tragedy, more of a triumph.”