Friends, family gather to remember murdered teen

ALDINE, TX (KTRK) -- More than 100 people gathered tonight to remember the 14-year-old middle school boy who was killed with a machete.

Jose Luis Meraz's mutilated body was found September 15 in the woods near Addicks Reservoir. The Stovall Middle School student went missing two days prior.

His family says the boy became a devoted Christian a year and a half ago and loved to play soccer. Meraz's parents moved back to Honduras a year ago but the teen decided to stay with his relatives so he could go to school here.

A former teacher also came to mourn.

"He always came in with a good attitude, he had a smile on his face always and he liked to share his favorite pick up lines with me that he used on the girls," said the teacher.

Since the murder took place, the teen's family has received death threats. The funeral director decided to hire 10 security guards to keep a mindful eye on today's event.

Houston police have not made any arrests in this case but believe it is gang related.