In Evansville, the trial of the man accused of taking the life of four-year-old Octavia Aquino last June started Tuesday morning. The heartbreaking case has drawn attention from the Fort Wayne community, where little Octavia and her family lived.
Octavia’s grandmother, Linda Alvarez, and her father, Brandon Aquino, made the long trip from Fort Wayne to Evansville early that morning, seeking justice for their beloved girl. Linda, overwhelmed by the tragedy, shared her hopes for the outcome.
“My belief in legal justice is that he gets life in prison,” she said, her voice steady but filled with emotion.
The Vanderburgh County coroner’s office revealed that Octavia’s death was caused by blunt force trauma to her head and neck—a chilling detail that has left the community grieving and searching for answers.
For Linda and Brandon, this experience has been a nightmare, but they say the kindness and prayers from strangers have brought some comfort during this dark time.
“It’s a really good feeling to know that so many people, people I’ve never even met before, are willing to pray for us and support us,” Linda explained. “They’ve left kind words and shown so much compassion.”
Tuesday’s proceedings focused on selecting a jury, but Linda remains hopeful that the trial will move forward quickly and bring justice for her granddaughter.
As the case unfolds, the community continues to rally around the Aquino family, offering strength and solidarity as they face this painful chapter together.
