In late August, 2020, what should have been a joyful celebration turned into a night of horror.
Lurdes Keymolen, a young mother from Washington, was celebrating her 23rd birthday.
The evening started off with laughter, good food, and drinks.
Sadly, it ended in a devastating tragedy that left her loved ones in shock and disbelief.
Lurdes life was cruelly cut short when her boyfriend, Cordonte Walker, ran her over with his car after a heated argument.
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| Lurdes Keymolen |
A Bright Future Cut Short
Lurdes Keymolen was a beloved daughter, sister, and mother.
She was born in Kirkland, Washington.
She graduated from Lindbergh High School in 2016 and worked at an upscale liquor store in Tukwila, a small city near Seattle.
With her bubbly personality and caring nature, she dreamed of becoming a veterinarian or pursuing a career in culinary arts.
Those who knew her best described her as smart, goofy, and full of love.
Lurdes had a magnetic personality that drew people in.
Her brother Gabriel often referred to her as his "twin" because of how close they were.
She had a passion for cooking, especially seafood, and loved spending time by the river near her family’s home.
She also adored her two dogs, Rambo and Lady, and shared many joyful moments with her two-year-old daughter, Mai’Layah.
Despite her bright future, Lurdes found herself in a toxic relationship with Walker, a man who, over time, became verbally and physically abusive.
The Night of the Incident
On August 26, 2020, Lurdes and her boyfriend Cordonte Walker went out to celebrate her birthday.
The couple dined at a luxurious Seattle-area hotel before heading to her parents’ home to continue the celebration.
After sharing drinks and mingling until the early morning hours, the atmosphere took a dark turn.
Around 3:40 a.m. on August 27, an argument between the couple broke out on the street in Kent, Washington.
An eyewitness, who was outside smoking a cigarette, saw the horrifying sequence of events unfold.
According to him, Walker was arguing with Lurdes before striking her multiple times with his 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix.
The witness watched in shock as Walker hit Lurdes once with his car, then reversed and ran over her again.
After the second impact, Walker allegedly dragged Lurdes’ unresponsive body into his vehicle.
The witness, armed with a gun, fired several shots at Walker’s tires in an attempt to stop him from fleeing.
However, Walker managed to drive away, with Lurdes’ legs hanging out of the car.
Walker later abandoned the car and her lifeless body behind a chiropractic clinic.
Seeking Justice for Lurdes
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Walker was arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
He initially claimed that the incident was an accident.
He stated that Lurdes had stepped in front of the car during their heated argument.
However, the evidence painted a different picture.
Investigators revealed that Lurdes had suffered extensive injuries.
This included a broken pelvis, fractured ribs, a broken jaw, and blunt force trauma to her face and head.
An autopsy revealed that Lurdes had bite marks on her face and other signs of assault.
Walker claimed these injuries were part of his desperate attempt to revive her.
Lurdes’ family, however, firmly believed that Walker’s actions were intentional.
Her brother Gabriel expressed his anger and disbelief, stating, “You cannot talk your way out of this. You hit and killed my sister.”
He also questioned why Walker didn’t take Lurdes to the hospital if he had truly tried to save her.
Walker’s violent behavior wasn’t new.
In 2018, he had been involved in another domestic violence incident.
During this incident, he was seen punching a different woman in a Starbucks parking lot.
In the end, Cordonte Walker accepted a plea deal and was sentenced to 17 years in prison for his girlfriend's murder.
Lurdes Keymolen’s death shattered her family.
Her mother, Fabiola Keymolen, and brother Gabriel have expressed the unbearable pain they feel each day.
Gabriel mentioned that they “cry until we can’t cry no more,” struggling to eat, sleep, or leave their home.
Lurdes' former boyfriend, Mike Smith, and the father of her two-year-old daughter, Mai’Layah, also shared his grief.
He called Lurdes his "first love" and remembered her as someone who brought sunshine into any room she entered.
The couple had parted ways in 2019 but maintained a strong bond because of their daughter.
For Lurdes’ family, no punishment can bring her back, but they hope to find some peace knowing that her killer was held accountable.
The family hopes that Lurdes’ death will not be in vain and that it will inspire others to take action against abuse before it’s too late.
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