Support Grows For Maplewood Murder Victim's Families

MAPLEWOOD, NJ - The community is rallying behind the families of Karen L. Bermudez-Rodriguez and David Kimowitz, the au pair and NYC comedy club owner murdered Saturday in Kimowitz's home in Maplewood.

Joseph Porter, 27, of Elizabeth was charged in the killing of ex-girlfriend Bermudez-Rodriguez and her employer, Kimowitz.

A memorial service for Bermudez-Rodriguez will be held at Morrow Church on Wednesday at 7 p.m. The church is located at 600 Ridgewood Road. Valeria Rodríguez Félix createda Facebook Fundraiser on behalf of the Au Pair Community of Maplewood-South Orange seeking donations to offset the expenses of bringing Bermudez-Rodriguez home to Colombia to be laid to rest.

"Karen will be remembered as a very loving person with a big heart. She was always very humble and kind, and always willing to help those in need. She enjoyed being an au pair and was grateful to have such a lovely host family," Félix said. "She especially cherished her time with her host family’s daughters and loved them very much."

Félix said on the fundraiser page that Bermudez-Rodriguez had pursued the au pair program to advance her English skills and to travel, which she loved.

"Sadly, Karen was taken from us much too early in a senseless act of partner violence," Félix said. "Her bright and beautiful life will live on in the hearts of everyone she touched, especially her friends and family."

Félix said that the donations, which as of Wednesday had topped $30,000 were overwhelming. She also said that any money collected that goes over the expenses incurred would be well spent.

"In the event that the total amount raised exceeds the cost of expenses incurred by Karen’s family, we are working on establishing a memorial fund in Karen’s honor which will be used to support worthy causes in Karen’s memory," Félix said. "Thank you so much again for all your support."

Services for David Kimowitz were scheduled for Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Bernheim Apter Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel, 68 Old Short Hills Road in Livingston.

For those wishing to support the Kimowitz Family, The David Kimowitz Memorial Fund has been established:

• Checks can be mailed to 10 Prospect Road in Livingston, NJ 07039
• The Venmo is @thedavidkimowitzmemorialfund
• Zelle is thedavidkimowitzmemorialfund@gmail.com.

People can also use thedavidkimowitzmemorialfund@gmail.com to send stories, pictures and memories of David to be shared with his family.

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