Remembering Isabella Salas

On Saturday morning, around 500 individuals gathered to honor Isabella Salas, one of two teenagers from New Jersey who were tragically killed by a confused stalker. This incident occurred when a girl riding a bike was struck by an SUV.

As mourners arrived at Dooley Funeral Home in West Cranford, some began to pay tribute to Salas. A classmate and a teacher from Cranford High School were seen in the streets, embracing and sharing their grief.

Nearby, dozens of floral arrangements captured attention, including one crafted by members of the Cranford High School Drama Club, of which Isabella was a part. She had a passion for singing and acting.

Heart-shaped displays of pink roses and lilies adorned the site, while others featured decorative purple arrangements with musical notes.

A large framed photograph of Isabella was positioned above her casket. She was set to be laid to rest at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, New Jersey, on Monday.

Isabella was not just a student; she was known as an animal lover, with family friend Carolyn Puglise mentioning her affection for her dog, Tucker. “That’s heartbreaking,” Puglise said, recalling how family-oriented Isabella was. “They’re all very close.”

Friend Jose Febas expressed the community’s collective sorrow, noting, “It’s too difficult for everyone.” He spoke of the immense grief felt, saying, “The pain for the community is twice as high,” as he estimated a strong turnout of over 500 people attending the memorial.

Another man, attending with his young daughter, shared, “This is devastating. We know her from the choir and from here. It’s a small community.”

Isabella’s best friend, Maria Niotis, was also a victim of the double murder. Maria was buried shortly after a packed funeral service at St. Demetrius Greek Orthodox Church in Union.

Tragically, both girls, just 17 years old, were struck at high speed on Cranford Street by Vincent Battilolo.

Community members have expressed concern over the alleged stalker, claiming he had been pursuing Maria for months and had even refused to leave when asked to, lingering outside her home.

“We want justice for her and Maria,” Tony Puglise expressed. “It’s very difficult. There was nothing done about the stalker. It’s a shame.”

Vincent Battilolo has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder as a juvenile, though it’s expected that prosecutors will seek to move the case to adult court. Authorities noted that he does not possess a valid driver’s license.