LAS VEGAS - Last month, a brutal double murder took the lives of a mother and daughter. Friday is the funeral for Yadira and Karla Martinez. Karla's father Arturo nearly died from his injuries in the vicious attack. His sister Gaudia Martinez spoke exclusively with 8 News NOW about his recovery.
Gaudia is being strong for her family and for her surviving brother Arturo, who's making a miraculous recovery.
"The doctors are surprised - all of them, the nurses, the therapists. Every person that comes to see Arturo are just amazed, because he's fighting so much," she said. "I haven't cried. I haven't had the time to cry. It's been really hard. I'm still shocked, completely shocked."
Gaudia says Arturo remembers almost nothing of the attack.
"He knows that they're not here anymore, but he doesn't know exactly what happened to them. He doesn't know that they were assaulted," she said.
His daughter Karla was the only niece Gaudia had in America. "My Karla, she will always be in our hearts. I always told her that she was my little angel," she said.
Gaudia has had little time to think about the attacker. "We can only ask for justice anyhow. If he gets punished for that, it won't give us (Yadira) and (Karla) back, but we know out there is justice," she said.
Gaudia believes Arturo will be at the funeral Friday, although the doctors are advising against it.
In a letter to friends and family in Las Vegas, Arturo wrote, "I thank you with all my heart for your prayers and sympathy in your hearts for our situation."
The service is at 12 p.m. at St. Christopher's Church.
Yadira Martinez
Karla Martinez
