Lack of answers frustrates Winter Park teen's mourners

Local residents cried out for justice Tuesday night in Winter Park’s Central Park, frustrated by the lack of resolution. Saddened that a 15-year-old boy lost his life too soon.

A vigil was held in memory of Roger Trindade on Tuesday night as dozens of residents gathered to pay their respects to the Winter Park High School student who passed away after an allegedly violent incident in Central Park on Oct. 15.

It’s been a month since Trindade was found unconscious in the park following a mysterious altercation that involved an alleged group of Winter Park High School students. Police have been investigating the incident ever since, treating it as a “suspicious death” until they fully understand what happened, said Winter Park Police Chief Michael Deal in a press conference last month.

Witnesses have told police that a fight broke out after a group of teens allegedly sprayed Trindade with some type of “odorous spray” – not mace or pepper spray, Deal said. Trindade was reportedly sitting on a park bench with friends and stood up to confront the group.

What happened next is unclear, but there are reports that Trindade was savagely beaten by the group of teens. He was transferred to a local hospital, where he was pronounced brain dead and taken off life support two days later.

The cause of Trindade’s death is still unknown, as he had minimal visible injuries when he was found by police, Deal said.

Those final details are the only thing that’s holding the case back from moving forward, Deal told the Observer this week. He said that he understands the frustration from residents, but wants to make sure the case is handled correctly.

Until the exact cause of death is determined, no arrests or charges will be made, he said.

“We’re all being patient,” Deal said. “I want to get this thing done as much as the citizens do. I’d like nothing more than to be able to let everyone know, ‘Hey, this is what happened. This is what we’ve done’ and put this to bed.”

“We have to make sure this is done right.”

But some locals like Maitland resident Blanca Dauseld believe that the city is stalling and trying to preserve its image as a tourist destination.

“To be honest, they’re trying to cover something,” said Dauseld, adding that she thought it was wrong of the city to remove the many flowers and items paying tribute to Trindade in Central Park over the past couple weeks.

“They don’t want to scare the tourists probably. They don’t want people to say ‘Oh, Park Avenue is a criminal street.’”

Dauseld said that the tree where the Trindade tribute has been growing should be permanently dedicated to him.

Amidst the frustration, there is still grieving and slow healing. Orlando resident and Trindade family friend Fernanda Kachny said that the world has lost an angel.

“He was an amazing kid,” Kachny said.

“He was so smart beyond his years. He was nice, he was funny and he was sweet…. I’ve never seen him angry. I’ve never seen him upset.”

Winter Park High School sophomore Rileigh Hanson first met Trindade last summer in the school computer lab. They also shared the same lunch period.

After the emotional vigil for Trindade, Hanson pulled up a video on her phone of her former friend and classmate showing off a sleight of hand card tricks, making a playing card vanish in the blink of an eye. Another video shows Trindade singing “Closer” by The Chainsmokers, belting notes without holding back or any fear of looking silly.

Despite her heavy heart, Hanson can’t hold back a smile when reflecting on her friend.

It’s terrible when something like this happens to anyone, but it especially hurts when it happens to someone like Roger, she said.

“He was just always joking around and always laughing,” Hanson said. “You could have been having the worst day and just seeing him would make you feel so much better.”

But just like the many other locals surrounding the candle-lit tree in Central Park, Hanson wants resolution.

“I understand [police] might not have all the answers, but I feel like they still need to give people something,” Hanson said. “As of now, a lot of the kids I know are extremely frustrated with how slow going it is.”

“He was our friend. We want answers and we want justice. Neither of those are happening.”