Community shattered as two teens die in devastatingly tragic accident

Chandler, Arizona: Two Arizona families are mourning the tragic loss of their sons, 18-year-old Romeo Alvarez and 17-year-old Marcus Lee, who died from apparent accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. The young men were discovered in a Chandler apartment garage early Tuesday morning, reportedly after spending time together with the car running in the enclosed space.

Romeo Alvarez, a recent graduate from Dobson High School in Mesa, was an exceptional student who ranked at the top of his class. Known for his ambition, he earned an EMT certification while still in high school and had just started his college journey on a scholarship to Arizona State University. Romeo’s family remembers him as a young man driven by a strong sense of responsibility, stepping up to support his family after losing his father when he was a baby.

At his high school graduation in May, Romeo proudly wore his superhero suit under his gown, paying tribute to his mother in his speech and embracing his personal role model, Spider-Man. Family members recall his unrelenting drive and dedication to excellence, with his cousin, Eilian Castaneda, saying, “Anything he did, he set himself to a high standard.”

Marcus Lee, the other young man in the incident, was a student at Chandler High School. His family had reported him missing on Monday, echoing the alarm raised by Romeo's family. A memo sent to Chandler High families confirmed Marcus’s identity, deepening the community’s shock over the unexpected tragedy.

The families had last celebrated together on Sunday, marking Romeo’s mother’s birthday. But later that evening, Romeo went to a friend’s home and never returned. Family members, growing concerned after losing contact, tracked Romeo’s location to the apartment complex on Ray Road and Arizona Avenue in Chandler, where authorities discovered the teens early Tuesday.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing, but initial reports suggest the boys were unknowingly exposed to lethal carbon monoxide levels while the car ran in the enclosed garage. Romeo’s family has set up a GoFundMe page to help with funeral expenses.