AUSTIN — On Sunday night, family and friends of Martin Gutierrez gathered to remember the 25-year-old's life on the boardwalk of the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail.
He went missing after a night out on Rainey Street, last seen in the early morning hours of Nov. 19. When he never returned home, his family and friends immediately launched a tireless search for Martin and answers as to why this happened. However, just a week later, the search came to an end when his body was found Monday, Nov. 26, near Lady Bird Lake.
On Sunday, those in attendance of the memorial held each other tightly, mourning the loss of the son, brother and friend Martin was, but also remembering the happy memories he left behind.
"Martin had a lot of family and friends here, friends that turned into family and it shows," said Mitchell Gutierrez. "He made you a better person. In all aspects. He took your best characteristic and made it better."
Martin had been living with his brother, Mitchell, and Mitchell's girlfriend, Whitney Rutz, who shared there is a hole felt at home now that Martin is gone.
"Martin was the sweetest, funniest, movie-quoting dork I've ever known. He would give his shirt off his back for anybody," said Rutz. "He was such a warmth in a room when you walked in, you always felt his presence. And he always just made me so much happier of a person. I'm really going to miss that about him not being here."
Everyone was given a balloon that read: "Forever in our heart you'll stay, we will love you and remember you every single day."
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Mitchell addressed the crowd sharing sweet memories of his brother and saying thank you to those in attendance. After the service, the balloons were released as attendees paused for a moment of silence.
A memorial service had been held in Martin's hometown of Big Spring in West Texas on Dec. 1. Mitchell said it was important to him and loved ones that they also hold a service in Austin for those who couldn't make it to Big Spring.
"I wanted to do something for them because they love Martin so much and they learned how funny he was, how much he was loved, and it shows. Everybody came."
While the search to bring Martin home did not end the way anyone wanted it to, Mitchell has this message to other families:
"I just want people to be safe, don't go into those dark areas, make sure if there's any way we can improve surveillance or lighting in those areas so that something can be done so that no other family or other brother has to do deal with this ever again."
"Don't take life for granted. I see the world in a whole different lens right now," said Rutz. "I would love if people keep sharing Martin's story. We're still looking for answers."
At this time, family said they are still waiting for toxicology tissue results from an autopsy. They shared they're hoping those answers will help to bring more closure.
Following the balloon release, attendees were invited to a dinner at Toss Pizza near South First and El Paso Street, where 10 percent of the meals purchased would go towards KidWorks Therapy Services.
Both Mitchell and Rutz said that they wanted to help a charity that Martin would have loved, and because he was so active, they believed he would appreciate them donating to the group.
To learn more about services provided at KidWorks Therapy, click here.