Barrera murder spurs social media buzz

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Five women, including the drum teacher of slain music mentor, Esme Barrera, 29, took to the streets of her Central Austin neighborhood to walk in her honor Saturday afternoon.

The walk was called "Keep Austin Safe: Ladies' and Queers Walk for Peace in Our Streets." The walk started at 4:30 p.m. at 32nd & King streets near Esme's home and ended in Wheatville.

Barrera, a music mentor and worker at Casis Elementary was found dead in her rental home at 3102 1/2 King Street after police received a call to check on her at 2:49 a.m.

"I did this so we could just feel safe and confident taking a walk," said Jennifer Ryan, who organized the walk.

But, as these women pounded pavement, a much bigger movement is taking place online, in the virtual world.

More than two Facebook pages have been created in Barrera's honor and a Twitter account .

Both pages and the account have the sketch of the person of interest in the case and are relaying information of other attacks in the area .  The page titled 'RIP "Esme" Barrera' was created by a woman who did not know Esme.

Also, an symbol was created of a hand and the outline spells Esme's name. The form of the hand is best known as the "rock and roll" hand or "I love you" symbol in sign language. The logo was designed by Charlie Chauvin, the brother of one of Barrera's co-workers.

"She would have loved (the graphic made)," said Terri Lord, Esme's drum teacher at Girls Rock Now.

However, a relative of the designer told KXAN via email, sign language means I love you and also represents Esme's rocker spirit and connection to the music industry. 

Lord said the outpouring of support from the community and online is unbelievable.

Esme will be laid to rest in her native of El Paso Tuesday.  Services will be held at Sunset Funeral Homes-Northeast, located at 4631 Hondo Pass.  The visitation, viewing and rosary is set for Monday starting at 5 p.m.  The rosary begins at 6 p.m. and visitation ends at 9 p.m.

Meanwhile, close friends of Esme will gather for a private dinner Sunday night.

Social media sites remembering Esme include:

http://www.brooklynvegan.com/austin/2012/01/rip_esme_barrer.html

connect. the. dots. for esme.

RIP "Esme" Barrera

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