Friend of deceased Durham teen: She was 'kind and loving'

An unresponsive teen was found inside her family's apartment at 211 Stokes St. just after midnight Tuesday when officers responded to an assist EMS call.

Alondra Gonzalez Mejia, 18, a senior at Middle College High School at DTCC, was taken to a hospital, where she later died, police said. Her death is being investigated as suspicious, police said.

Yesika Escobar went to middle school with Gonzales. She said she has no idea why anyone would want to harm her friend.

"She was very kind and loving. She always wanted to help people," Escobar said. "What is going on...what really happened to her?"

According to Escobar, the 18-year-old worked at Noodles and Company as much as possible to help her mom and twin sisters.

"I don't know how she did it," Escobar said. "She had college classes, high school classes and was working. During winter break she was working about 30 to 40 hours per week."

Escobar described Gonzales as an amazing friend and one that will be greatly missed.

"There are always friends, but there is always that one person you go to...and that was her," she said.

Durham police have not said what led them to consider this case a suspicious death.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 919-560-4440 or Crime Stoppers at 919-683-1200.