Grafton Woman Dies In River, Shocks Community

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Many in the Grafton community are mourning the loss of a woman who was found in her car in the Park River.
 
It’s a beautiful day in Grafton, but for one family it’s a day of mourning.

Valorie Guajardo and her brother are saying goodbye to the woman who raised them.
 
“It’s unreal. It’s unreal everyone is just so shocked by it. We can’t believe this happened,” said Guajardo.
 
Police say they found 51–year–old Carolina Mendoza of Grafton in the Park River.
She was still in her vehicle.
Police say it looks like she drowned, but the autopsy is not yet complete.
 
“It’s very shocking for the community. It’s a small town, very tight knit. I know that this was all over Facebook and social media last night when it was occurring,” said Grafton Police Department Sgt. Alex Droske.
 
Guajardo says her mom left the house at 4 A.M.
When she woke up she says she looked everywhere.

She even drove to Grand Forks to look for her mom’s car.
Unfortunately she found pieces of the car near her home by the river.
 
“It is tough, I think, I don’t know if I’m more shocked or I don’t want to believe it’s real until I see her,” said Guajardo.
 
Family members set up a memorial in her honor where she passed and they say she will be greatly missed in the community.
 
“My mom was a very loving, caring person. Everyone got along with her. She was the best; I mean everyone knew her in the community,” said Guajardo.
 
There are a few final words Guajardo has for her mom.
 
“I love you mom, never forget that. I just don’t know how I’m going to go on with my life without her. She was there for me 24/7,” said Guajardo.
 
It’s a loss that many in the community don’t yet have any answers to.
 
The Grafton Police Department is still investigating the incident.