From her home in Malone, Debra Napoli says she still struggles with understanding why her daughter, Noel Alkaramla, was killed.
"I named her Noel because she’s Christmas every day of the year to me. She’s my gift in life,” Napoli said.
Sometimes, the biggest gifts in life can’t be bought. No price tag can put a value on them. That was Alkaramla for her mother.
“That’s my baby, my only baby, and I don’t have her to hold anymore,” said Napoli.
Her gift was taken from her around this time last year. The 21-year-old was found dead in a suitcase at the bottom of the Hudson River. Friday, her stepfather, Johnny Oquendo, was charged with second degree murder, strangulation and concealment of a human corpse.
“Do you know how it feels to sit in a funeral parlor and get a black plastic box with numbers on it from the FBI, and it’s your daughter?” Napoli asked.
Police found Alkaramla after about a month-long water search. The 39-year-old Oquendo was already in jail by that time for a parole violation, but it took about a year for the district attorney’s office to gather enough evidence to file charges against Oquendo.
During those months, Debra Napoli has taken the time to collect her thoughts in a book she may publish. She’s hoping to start a foundation to help young women like her daughter.
“I truly believe if my little girl had someone to talk to, when mommy moved to Malone, that this wouldn’t have happened,” said Napoli.
The foundation would be her gift to other women in need, knowing that while Oquendo entered a not-guilty plea, Monday’s arraignment was step one in Noel getting the gift of justice.
“Like the DA told me, I would have that real good holiday, and this is as good as it can get. Justice for Noel,” said Napoli.