Funeral Services Set For Lake Wales Teen Beaten To Death With Bat

LAKE WALES, FL – A 15-year-old Lake Wales teen will be laid to rest Monday, March 26 after being beaten to death with a baseball bat by a fellow teen he once considered a friend.

Giovanni Diaz died March 19 when he was bludgeoned to death in a wooded area near his home.

A fellow student and neighbor, Dillen Murray, 16, has been charged in his death.

The family will receive friends at 6 p.m. The service begins at 7 p.m. at the Marion Nelson Funeral Home, 454 S. Buckmoore Road, Lake Wales.

Dozens of Diaz’ friends already bid their classmate farewell during a vigil March 22.

More than 200 people held lighted candles in Diaz' honor as they walked from the Circle K store at U.S. 27 and 1st Avenue North to the woods where Diaz lost his life.

His mother, Nikki McNabb, said she was overwhelmed by the turnout.

“I knew my son was amazing,” she said. “But I didn’t know he’d touched so many lives.”

She said she still can’t believe her son, who “saw the good in everyone,” is now dead, reportedly at the hands of someone he once called a friend.

“Gio was an awesome big brother, who loved and cared for friends and family,” McNabb said.

She said he loved music, skate boarding, fishing, video games and was one of the few people who could figure out a Rubik's Cube. He attended youth group gatherings at his church every Wednesday evening.

“He had a heart of gold and saw the good in everyone,” she said.

His trust in people may be the character trait that led to his death, said the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

Detectives believe Murray planned to kill Diaz when he persuaded Diaz to meet him in the woods after school the day before, sending him the text message, "Yo...Meet me at rocks after school so we can chill."

In an interview, Murray said he was upset because Diaz was having a sexual relationship with a girl he “loved.” Detectives say Murray brought the aluminum bat with him to the woods intending to take his anger out on Diaz.

Murray and Diaz attended the same school, Frostproof Middle/Senior High, and lived in the same neighborhood. Murray lives at 47 2nd Ave. N. in Lake Wales. Diaz lived with his mother, stepfather and brothers at 153 Lake Caloosa Circle N.

Detectives say, when Diaz didn’t show up at the agreed-upon meeting with Murray, Murray texted Diaz 13 times asking where he was.

When Diaz finally arrived, Murray told detectives he began striking him with the bat. He said he continued to beat Diaz after he fell to the ground.

McNabb said she’d warned her son to stay away from Murray.

Two years ago, Murray beat up her son and another teen at their mobile home park. McNabb pressed charges against Murray following that incident.

Classmates say Murray had a reputation as a bully. But McNabb said her son was quick to forgive and began hanging out with Murray again despite the assault charge.

"He wanted to be friends with everybody, no matter what they did to him," she said.

“Gio was like a brother to me,” said Frostproof classmate Madisyn Vaughan. “He helped me through everything. He was my one of a couple of true friends I had at Frostproof. We had plans to hang out for spring break. I don’t know how anyone could do this to him. It hurts me so much.”

“Gio was an amazing young man and I loved having him in my science class,” said Frostproof teacher Arlette Schulze Lock. “He will be missed and will always have a place in my heart.”

A Go Fund Me page has been set up to help offset the family’s funeral expenses.

It’s already surpassed the goal of $4,500 by more than $3,000.

Image via Giovanni Diaz' family