CAPE CORAL, Fla. — oday, members of the community gathered to honor the life of Diane Ruiz at the Moose Lodge in Cape Coral. The 43-year-old mother of two vanished on her way to work and was found murdered days later, less than a mile away from her home.
Fox 4 spoke with family, friends, and co-workers who knew her best. Jerry Stover, who is an administrator at the Moose Lodge, has worked alongside Ruiz and shares how his co-workers are dealing with the loss.
"This has a major effect on all of us, but we are here to celebrate her life and move forward, and we are very blessed to have known her," says Jerry stover. Diane's son says his mother lived for her family and was a dear friend to so many.
Joann Catania who frequents the lodge says,"You felt like you've known her for years and years, and it even though it's not that long, it feels like its been forever. when your part of the Moose Lodge, your family."
Many shared their memories of Diane bartending throughout the years. Jerry Stover reminded us that in life or death, once a member always a member.
"Someone like that is never forgotten. We'll have many times where we'll have laughs, and we'll have tears, but we'll remember that person that we lost here," said Jerry Stover.
Cape Coral police say Wade Wilson is a person of interest in the deaths of Diane Ruiz and Kristine Melton, who was found dead inside her home. Wade remains in the lee county jail.
