Trial postponed in shooting death of young Fil-Am mother

Frances Kendra Lucero was a mother of two who worked at an ophthalmology office and had a small but thriving business designing and crafting healing crystals. She was 27. CONTRIBUTED

DALY CITY – All year and longer, Liezel Chan-Lucero has been bracing for the moment she would face the person accused of shooting her firstborn, Frances Kendra Lucero, killing her in front of their two children, robbing them of their mother at her parents’ home.

The trial of the defendant had been scheduled for Oct. 18 at the San Mateo County Courthouse in Redwood City.  The date seemed fateful: October is commemorated throughout the United States as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

As she had done October last year, Liezel joined domestic violence prevention advocates at events remembering victims, including the eldest of her three children, who died on March 6, 2023, allegedly in the hands of the one supposed to honor and protect them as the intimate partner.

Finally, Liezel, her husband Florendo or “Ollen” Lucero, their son Florenz and daughter Francine thought, they would be on their way toward closure now that justice was imminent.

Liezel Chan-Lucero turns her grief to advocacy as she speaks at Oct. 24 gathering to honor those who died in intimate partner violence, especially her daughter Frances Kendra Lucero. CONTRIBUTED

But no, the Luceros learned they would have to wait until the middle of next year for the trial to begin.

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“The trial date was moved so that the defense team could review a large amount of electronic discovery which they just received,” Chan-Lucero told Inquirer.net USA days after the development.

“When I heard the news, I felt a wave of disappointment and frustration,” she disclosed. “My reaction was to take a moment to process, visit her grave and pray.”

Another blow

The postponement, which she called “a setback in the pursuit of justice,” was one more blow in the past 20 months since Frances Kendra’s death.

In the first weeks after the tragedy, the Luceros grappled with fear of retaliation for being visible in traditional and social media as they mourned their beloved Frances.  The typically outdoorsy fun-loving family became homebodies. Soon they moved out of their home in the Westlake District of Daly City where Frances Kendra Lucero, her ex and their children had stayed, to distance themselves from prying eyes and the scene of their sorrow.

The Chan-Lucero family (from left) Florenz, Florendo (Ollen) and Liezel, and Francine with Frances Kendra’s children Rayden and Rayanne (foreground) by the memorial tree at CORA “Voices not Forgotten.” CONTRIBUTED

“My daily routine has drastically changed. I often find myself distracted, struggling to engage in activities I once enjoyed,” Lucero related a consequence often attributed to trauma, in this case vicarious and emotional. “I’ve become more introspective, questioning my outlook on life. My mind is restless causing anxiety. My happy life became sad and my heart is full of anger.”

While coping with despair, Liezel lost her job as loan officer.  And yet she sees a silver lining in the numerous relatives and friends who often “check up on us, helping us take care of the children.”

She was referring to Frances Kendra’s son and daughter, who are now her children after she and Ollen officially adopted them.  Their wellbeing is first priority. For their sake she is resolved to keep her eldest child’s memory alive.

Last week she visited her daughter’s grave to find flowers and mementoes hauled away and “dumped” without notifying families, she said.  She felt as if her daughter was revictimized again and has taken it upon herself to reach out to authorities to change memorial lawn policy to show empathy and sensitivity.

Determination is a trait she says she inherited from her parents, on top of her love for her children.

“I was raised on values and beliefs in the possibility of a positive outcome,” she offered.

The Luceros’ eldest child (at the top of the stairs) planned family parties, including the menu and entertainment, as they did in 2021. CONTRIBUTED

The Luceros have found a community where empowerment occurs in a circle, gaining while giving.

On Oct. 24, Liezel spoke at “Voices not Forgotten,” a gathering of to honor San Mateo County residents who lost their lives to domestic violence.  At least three were Filipino Americans.

Source of strength

Organized by CORA (Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse), the county domestic violence service agency, the event began with a “viewing of a memorial tree” at San Mateo Central Park followed by a memorial service at the organization’s training room.

“I met several families who had lost loved ones. The atmosphere was heavy yet filled with a sense of solidarity. Although we were all grieving, there was a comforting community spirit, knowing we shared a common bond through our losses,” Liezel related the solemn but uplifting assembly.

Earlier in the month she received the proclamation of Domestic Violence Awareness Month from Mayor Juslyn Manalo at the Oct. 14 Daly City Council meeting.

She thanked her home city officials for “continuously checking up on us to see how my family is doing and if we need more resources and more support.” She expressed appreciation for the Filipino American violence prevention education team ALLICE (Alliance for Community Empowerment) for “listening and being a medium” for her effort toward justice.

Calls for broader awareness outreach, stronger laws that hold perpetrators accountable and more support services for individuals and families in abusive circumstances are a recurring theme of her remarks.

“It is crucial to create an environment where victims feel safe to speak out, seek help and access much-needed resources,” she stresses.

Wisdom from pain

“Sharing my story helps me confront my pain, and the support I receive from the community encourages me to stand strong when speaking publicly,” she defined what fuels her passion.

She has acquired deeper understanding of the issue of domestic violence in the course of therapy and involvement with advocacy groups.  Some she realized quite late.

“I’ve learned about the alarming statistics of intimate partner violence (IPV) and the systemic issues that allow it to flourish. It’s crucial for people to understand that IPV can affect anyone and that many victims feel trapped due to societal pressures. We need to recognize the red flags (signs for abusive behavior)” and muster the courage to speak up, she said, her confidence honed by conviction.

Speaking from experience she emphasized “one common misunderstanding that IPV only happens in certain demographics, but it’s prevalent across all communities. It is happening in real life and everywhere even close to home.”

Cultural barrier

That the matter is even more challenging to address in the Filipino community is not lost on her.

“While IPV is a universal issue, aspects of Filipino culture, such as the emphasis on family honor and the stigma around seeking help, can sometimes normalize abusive behaviors or discourage victims from speaking out,” she told Inquirer.net USA.  “This cultural context may hinder understanding and support for those suffering from IPV.”

She cited the “Filipino mentality of ‘lifelong commitment’ even in an abusive relationship” as a factor in why survivors stay with the perpetrator, not realizing abuse worsens over time.

Another barrier to overcoming abuse is the belief that couples should “do it (stay together) for the kids,” she pointed out, due to lack of awareness of the effects of witnessing abuse on children and loved ones.

When all is quiet and she’s alone she pines for Frances, she told Inquirer.netUSA.

“I miss Frances’ laughter and her nurturing presence the most,” Chan-Lucero switches from focused advocate to grieving mother, her longing heightened by the signs of the holiday season.

“This second Christmas without Frances is particularly challenging, but we include her memory in all our activities by sharing stories about her and keeping some of our family traditions alive in her honor. We always share good stories of her to remember her not only on Christmas but every day.”

For that very reason, they will be ready for the May 2, 2025 trial date.