Santa Maria Valley high school sweethearts on vacation in Mexico died after a suspected gas leak at the house where they were staying earlier this week, and relatives and friends are rallying to help after the tragedy.

Julian Casares, 21, and Mireya Leon, 20, were pronounced dead early Tuesday, leaving their families and friends in shock as word of the tragedy quickly spread on social media.

They were found in a bedroom near a laundry room with a boiler suspected as the source of liquified petroleum gas leak, according to media in Mexico. They had traveled with her family to Mexico. 

As their mourning parents work to complete paperwork to bring their bodies back to the Central Coast, fundraisers have been planned to help the families with funeral costs. 

Both graduated from Righetti High School in Orcutt, where she participated in track and he played football and wrestled. 

After high school, Casares worked for Pacific Beverage Co. as a merchandiser and had recently received a promotion, according to his dad, Gary Casares Jr. 

Casares also was on a waiting list to join the apprentice program to become an electrician through the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union in Buellton, according to his dad.

Leon worked for the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District. 

“They were just starting out,” Gary Casares said. 

As the young couple’s relationship deepened, Casares’ dad remembered telling them not to rush.

“Be patient. You guys have forever. You guys have the rest of your lives,” Gary Casares said, adding that he believed they intended to get married in Mexico. “They were ready.”

As a child, the younger Casares expressed himself, sporting various hairstyles, including a mohawk, and participating in various activities.

“He didn’t fit in one bubble,” his dad said.

However, he loved his family, including spending time with his younger cousins. 

“Nothing made him happier than to have all of his cousins piled in his room,” Gary Casares said.

Casares’ family already made a quick trip to Mexico to deal with arrangements and traveled by car to deliver additional paperwork to Los Angeles on Friday.

While his parents initially wanted to bring him home as soon as possible, they paused to remember what Casares and Leon would want. 

“They would want to be brought home together. They would want to be buried together,” his dad said. “This is how their love story is going to end.”

Casares’ survivors include his parents, Gary and Denise Casares, and a sister, Mia.

Leon is survived by her parents and two sisters. 

Funeral arrangements under the care of Moreno Mortuary are pending.

To help the families with expenses, a fundraiser barbecue is planned from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 20 at Atlas Custom Sound, 908 N. Broadway in Santa Maria. A plate of chicken, beans, rice, bread and salsa plus water will be $15.

Additionally, a GoFundMe site to help both families had raised more than $11,000 as of Friday evening and can be found by clicking here.