They were mothers, fathers, grandparents, newlyweds and young daughters. The victims identified so far from the Surfside condo collapse are being remembered by family and friends as "very dedicated," "super mom" and a "silent warrior."
The big picture: As of Thursday, 16 of the 18 confirmed victims have been identified. At least 145 people remain unaccounted for.
The victims include:
Michael Davis Altman, 50, was an accountant who lived in the condo building for more than six years, per the Miami Herald. His unit had been in the family since the 1980s.
- He was originally from Costa Rica. His son, Nicholas, wrote on Facebook, "Best father a son can ask for. Forever in my heart."
Christina Beatriz Elvir, 74, and Leon Oliwkowicz, 80, recently moved to Surfside, per the Miami Herald. They hailed from Venezuela.
- The couple is survived by four children and 11 grandchildren, according to USA Today.
Luis Bermúdez, 26, was nicknamed, "Luiyo," by loved ones and described himself on Instagram as a man with "a big heart."
- Bermúdez, who used a wheelchair, had muscular dystrophy, per the Miami Herald.
- "Luis taught us more about COURAGE, PERSEVERANCE, and about how to make the best of one's LIFE than any book, any lesson or any theory," Jose J. Ortiz Carlo, Bermúdez's former teacher, wrote on Facebook. "He was the embodiment of what it means to be a true SILENT WARRIOR."
- Bermúdez lived in a 7th floor condo with his mother, Ana Ortiz.
Anna Ortiz, 46, and Frank "Frankie" Kleiman, 55, were newlyweds.
- Ortiz, who grew up in Puerto Rico, was described by close friends as "super mom," per the Miami Herald.
- Kleiman was a grandfather-to-be who was nicknamed, "a man with an eternal smile," at a school reunion 15 years ago, the Herald reported. Kleiman's mom, who lived on the same floor, and brother, who was visiting from Puerto Rico, are among those who remain missing.
Stacie Dawn Fang, 54, was the mother of 15-year-old Jonah Handler, who was rescued from the rubble of the condo collapse on June 25, per the Miami Herald.
- "There are no words to describe the tragic loss of our beloved Stacie," Fang's family said in a statement, ABC News reported.
Marcus Joseph Guara, 52, and Anaely Rodriguez, 42, lived in the building with their two daughters, Emma and Lucia, who also died.
- Guara's cousin, Peter Milián, described the 52-year-old father as "a great brother, uncle, cousin, son, and loved his daughters passionately" and someone who "loved life," per the Miami Herald.
- Rodriguezwas described as kind by family, but feisty, per The Palm Beach Post.
- Lucia Guara, 10, was described as "tall and sweet" by friends, the Miami Herald reported.
- Emma Guara was four years old. The family enjoyed going to the beach.
Andreas Giannitsopoulos, 21, was a senior at Vanderbilt University and was visiting Manuel LaFont, a family member, at the time of the collapse, per the Tennessean.
- Father James Murphy, who is president of the high school Giannitsopoulos attended, described the young man as "very dedicated, very focused, very hard working."
Manuel "Manny" LaFont, 54, was a proud father and business consultant who could often be found playing baseball with his son Santi, in the afternoon, per the Miami Herald.
- LaFont's former partner, Adriana wrote on Facebook, "So many memories inside the walls that are no more ... My Manny, who was my partner for so many years, father of my children, who scolds me and loves me at the same time."
Antonio Lozano, 83, and Gladys Lozano, 79, were described as "beautiful people" who were married for 59 years, the Miami Herald reported.
Hilda Noriega, 92, was characterized by her grandson as the sweetest, the most loving and most generous person whose energy was "boundless," per the Miami Herald.
- "The Noriegas have lost the 'heart and soul' and 'matriarch' of their family, but will get through this time by embracing the unconditional love Hilda was known for," her family said in a statement through the government of North Bay Village, where her son is the police chief.
Go deeper:
- Biden says families of Surfside victims are "realistic" about the chances of loved ones' survival
- The building collapse felt throughout Latin America
- Miami condo collapse leaves victims from around the world
Editor's note: This story will be updated as new information is released.
