Stamford Community Rallies Following Sudden Death Of Local Student

STAMFORD, CT — The Stamford community is rallying to support the family of Santos Eujedo Perez, the Westhill High School student who was found dead in a wooded area in New Canaan earlier this week.

As of Friday morning, a GoFundMe fundraiser to help with funeral costs had raised $7,800 out of an $8,000 goal. There were 141 individual donations.

The fundraiser was created by Juan Pazmino, the coordinator of family and community engagement for Stamford Public Schools. Pazmino was previously the dean of students at WHS.

"During this difficult time, we are making arrangements to honor his memory with a respectful funeral service," Pazmino wrote in the fundraiser's description. "Unfortunately, the cost of the funeral arrangements exceeds Santos dad's financial means. We are reaching out to friends, family, the Westhill and the Stamford Community to seek assistance in covering these expenses. Any support you can provide would be deeply appreciated."

According to the Stamford Advocate, Perez knew Pazmino and the two would occassionally talk during lunch at school. Perez came to WHS in 2021 from Guatemala and was an English learner student, the Advocate reported.

Perez was last seen working at a New Canaan house under renovation Monday afternoon, according to New Canaan police Lt. Marc DeFelice. Pazmino said it was Perez's first day on the job, the Advocate reported.

Stamford and New Canaan police found Perez in a wooded area of town just after midnight on Tuesday. He was declared deceased by a Norwalk Hospital paramedic, DeFelice said.

DeFelice later said there was "no indication of foul play" and said there was no threat to the community.

SPS Superintendent of Schools Dr. Tamu Lucero released a statement Thursday on Perez's death.

"Everyone associated with Stamford Public Schools is devastated by the passing of Santos Perez, who would have been a senior at Westhill High School in the fall," Lucero said. "Losing a child is every family's worst nightmare, and we are heartbroken for Santos’ parents, family, and friends. We extend our deepest condolences to the Perez family as well as all those who knew and loved Santos, including his teachers and classmates at Westhill."

The district has had its crisis response team at WHS this week for any staff or students seeking social-emotional support.

To view the GoFundMe fundraiser, click here.

Read more from Stamford Advocate

— This post contains previous reporting from Patch Editor RJ Scofield