In Loving Memory of Sophia Akimi Troetel, Josiah Patrick Santos, and Katya Castillo-Mendoza Gone Too Soon • Forever in Our Hearts
The University of Arizona community is reeling from profound heartbreak after a devastating hit-and-run crash on the night of October 30, 2025, claimed the lives of three cherished students. The victims — 21-year-old Sophia Akimi Troetel, 22-year-old Josiah Patrick Santos, and Katya Castillo-Mendoza — were struck while walking together in a marked crosswalk near campus. What should have been a normal night among friends turned into an unimaginable tragedy that has shaken the university, the city of Tucson, and all who knew and loved them.
These were not just students. They were bright lights, each on their own unique path, each carrying hopes, dreams, ambitions, and stories still unwritten. Their absence has left a void so deep that words often struggle to reach it.
Sophia Akimi Troetel
Sophia was known for her gentle presence, thoughtful mind, and creative spirit. She had a way of making people feel seen and understood, and her empathy touched the lives of everyone she encountered. Whether studying, laughing with friends, or enjoying the simple moments of campus life, Sophia carried a warmth that continues to live on in the hearts of those who loved her.
Josiah Patrick Santos
Josiah was full of energy, generosity, and drive. He had a heart that opened easily — to new friendships, new experiences, and new challenges. His enthusiasm uplifted others, and his belief in the goodness of people inspired many. Josiah was someone who made you feel like you mattered, and his loss is felt across countless lives.
Katya Castillo-Mendoza
Katya carried a radiant spirit — full of determination, affection, and joy. She had an infectious laugh and a determination to succeed not just for herself, but for those she loved. Katya dreamed big and loved deeply. Her presence made spaces brighter, her laughter made days lighter, and her kindness made others feel at home.
A Community in Mourning
The grief felt across campus and the broader Tucson community is immense. Students, faculty, friends, and families are holding one another close as they navigate a loss that feels both unreal and unbearably real. Memorial gatherings, candlelight vigils, and moments of silence have allowed the community to come together — not to understand the incomprehensible, but to stand with one another in love.
This tragedy reminds us how fragile life is. How the ordinary can change in an instant. How deeply the lives of those around us intertwine with our own.
Their Legacy Lives On
Sophia, Josiah, and Katya have left behind more than grief — they have left behind love — love carried in memories, in connection, in the stories shared through tears and through laughter.
Their lives continue in:
- The friendships they nurtured
- The dreams they inspired
- The compassion they showed
- The communities they shaped
No act of remembrance will ever be too small, because love does not fade — it echoes.
To the Families
May you feel the strength of every prayer, every embrace, every whispered “we remember.”
To Their Friends
May you talk about them often. Their names should continue to be spoken. Their stories still deserve to be told.
To the University Community
Hold one another closer. Move with care. Lead with compassion. Love loudly.
Rest in eternal peace, Sophia, Josiah, and Katya.
Your lives were precious.
Your memories are sacred.
And you will forever be carried in the hearts of those who knew you.
🕊️🤍 Forever Wildcats.
