Larissa Estrada died two days after authorities said her father, 51-year-old Edwin Estrada, shot her inside their Sampson County home before killing himself.
Damon Nahas only coached Larissa for one season, but he said she made the type of impression that normally takes several years.
"Larissa had a certain way about her that kind of drew you," said Nahas. "Nothing ever seemed wrong. She always wanted to compete as hard as anybody, but she just had a really positive attitude and just a passion for everything that just resonated among the entire group and me included."
That's what makes her death so hard for those she leaves behind on these soccer fields. Her peers are heartbroken and grief-stricken.
"These are 13-year-old girls and 14-year-old girls that were affected by her just as a person and how she made them better people, and friends and teammates and to lose someone like that it takes, it's going to be a long healing process," said Nahas.
Under Nahas, the Hobbton Middle School eighth grader played forward and midfielder for the Capitol Area Soccer League's Chelsea U-14, which is a local elite group that travels throughout the southeast to compete.
What stood out most, Nahas said, was Larissa's work ethic and positive passion.
"She had such a presence and happiness and smile," he said.
Nahas said he's in close contact with Larissa's family. Teammates have set up a fund to help them and eventually establish a scholarship in Larissa's name.
"We want her to live on forever and we want to do her part because she was a special, special person," said Nahas.
Meanwhile, investigators still haven't released a motive for murder/suicide.
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