Vigil in NYC marks 1 year since deadly roof collapse at Dominican nightclub

Wednesday marked one year since the roof collapse at a nightclub in the Dominican Republic that killed 236 people.

A vigil was held in New York City to remember the victims, including several from the Tri-State Area.

Victims remembered

Gathered outside Radio Hotel in Washington Heights, families and friends prayed, held a moment of silence, and read the name of every victim killed.

Flerines DeJesus said her cousins, sisters Danilda and Celestina Figuereo, were at the nightclub when the roof collapsed. Danilda Figuereo survived, but Celestina Figuereo was killed.

"There are nights where she wakes up crying, where she feels her sister calling out to her," DeJesus said. "[Celestina Figuereo] was the happiest person ever. She lit up a room. She loved dancing."

One year later, the love and loss is still sharp in the hearts of Jennifer Contreras' family.

Contreras was killed in the collapse on April 8, 2025, one day before her 24th birthday.

"These next few days, I'm just, I'm going to be sick to my stomach because it's like if I'm reliving it all over again," sister Luz Contreras said.

"I don't believe my daughter is not here," mother Dina Marcelo said.

The family said Jennifer Contreras was in the Dominican Republic for a week to take a specialized cosmetics class.

"She very sweet. She happy. She dance all the time," Marcelo said.

"She loved everybody and everybody loved her," Luz Contreras said.

Nightclub owners charged

The nightclub's owners, Antonio and Maribel Espaillat, were arrested and charged with involuntary homicide, the most serious crime that could be filed in the country, but, if found guilty, it only carries a sentence of up to two years in prison.

"I just feel frustrated because how is it possible that everybody else's life changed but theirs?" Luz Contreras said.

"He is responsible for the deaths of those innocent civilians," said Alan Vargas, the brother of a victim.

"[We feel] sadness, but most of all, rage. Nothing has been done. It's been a year," DeJesus said.

Prosecutors said the owners were given multiple warnings about the roof's deterioration and were even urged to cancel the concert that was going on at the time of the collapse.

The club owners maintain they had no ill intent, but survivors and victims' families say they want justice.

"We're still here. We still exist," Luz Contreras said. "My sister existed, and even though she might not be here, but we're her voice now."