Dozens of neighbors, friends and family gathered Sunday evening at Oaks of Clear Creek to light candles for Luz Mary Pelaez, the stabbing victim from the 1300 block of Deer Ridge Drive now publicly identified as a longtime special needs educator, nanny and church volunteer.

Pelaez was killed Aug. 7 inside her League City home. Her husband, Raul Uribe, was also stabbed and remains in recovery, according to loved ones at the vigil. The couple's son, Juan Jose Uribe Pelaez, 32, is charged with murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon causing serious bodily injury. His bond totals $500,000.

Family friend Tara Hardy, who employed Pelaez as her family's nanny for three years, told mourners at the Aug. 9 vigil that Pelaez devoted her career to working with children with special needs and volunteered extensively through her church, according to Click2Houston.

"She never demanded anything back from anybody," Hardy said. "It was just pure, genuine love and just devotion to children, to giving back."

Hardy said Pelaez had become part of her family and described her as a beautiful person inside and out. The vigil drew strangers who had never met Pelaez, Hardy noted, a reflection of how widely her story resonated in the neighborhood.

Pastor Rudy Molina of Lifeway Church in League City spoke at the gathering, telling attendees the church was there to support the community through its grief. Pelaez's first name, Luz, means "light" in Spanish. Hardy said the name reflected the warmth Pelaez carried into every interaction.

How the attack unfolded

According to the League City Police Department, officers received a 911 call at approximately 7:11 p.m. Aug. 7 from a male victim reporting that he and his wife had been stabbed. Patrol officers arrived at approximately 7:14 p.m. and found Uribe in the front yard suffering from multiple stab wounds and lacerations.

Officers observed Pelaez lying motionless inside the living room through a window, forced entry and removed her. She was transported to a hospital where she was pronounced dead.

The Galveston County Sheriff's Office Drone Team deployed a drone inside the residence and located the suspect in a bedroom. Officers entered and took Juan Jose Uribe Pelaez into custody after deploying a Taser.

He faces a murder charge carrying a $250,000 bond and an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon causing serious bodily injury charge, also at $250,000.

Investigation ongoing

The League City Police Department said the investigation remains active. Anyone with information is asked to contact LCPD at 281-332-2566.

No court date has been publicly announced as of Monday, Aug. 10.