'Our Hearts Ache': New Fundraiser, Tattoos In Honor Of Girls Slain In Cranford

CRANFORD, NJ — A new fundraising event is being held to raise money for the families of Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas in Cranford.

The two 17-year-old girls were killed by a driver in a hit-and-run crash on Sept. 29 while they were riding electronic bikes along Burnside Avenue, the Union County Prosecutor's Office said.

Vincent P. Battiloro, 17 of Garwood, was identified as the suspect through court records along with reports he had been stalking at least one of the girls for months leading up to the crash. He is charged with two counts of murder and 15 other citations.

After multiple days of selling music by local DJ Rich Russo raised thousands of dollars for the girls' families, he is again returning to 109 North Union Ave. on Nov. 9 for the "FINAL $1 BLOWOUT" event.

Those who visit the pop-up shop from 1 to 4 p.m. will see the following prices:

• Single vinyl albums are $2 each, or 20 for $20
• Single CDs are $1 each
• Non picture sleeve 45s are 10 for $1
• Picture sleeve 45s are $1 each

"Close to 1000 people have popped in to support this effort, ranging from kids getting into vinyl to their grandparents picking up some memories," Russo said ahead of the final sale. "It’s been really special to see the community."

Through a collaboration with the Old City Cafe & Grill, DJ and Cranford resident Rich Russo used a collection of records and CDs he acquired to host five different sales and give 100% of the proceeds to both of the girls' families. Old City donated the space to Russo and the nonprofit Cranford Family Care for a month to use however they'd like in order to raise more funds.

Russo bought the entire record collection at an estate sale in Cranford and was offered the space by Rafi Namroud, owner of the restaurant, while the two were having dinner one night. A baked good sale and donation site were also a part of the setup at the sale.

Russo, who hosts a show called "Anything, Anything" on multiple FM stations and two SiriusXM shows, is accepting donations now for the final sale. To donate your vinyl records or CDs, contact rich@richrusso.net.

Monetary donations for the families are being accepted through Cranford Family Care. In the "Memory Honor Of" box, donors should enter "RECORD SALE for Maria and Isabella."

Tattoos In Memory

Niotis' parents, Foulla and Sotiri, memorialized their daughter forever last week in a special way.

Each left Lost & Found Tattoo Studio in Cranford with a black and white portrait of Maria depicted with angel wings and flowers encompassing the area beside her.

Other members of her family, including her brother, have also since honored her memory in ink with her handwriting etched in tattoo form on their arms.

"Our hearts ache with them," Lost & Found said on Instagram. "Through their pain, we captured moments of our humanity and a love that will never fade."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by LAFTSNJ@Gmail.com (@lostandfoundtattoostudio)

MORE FROM PATCH: Cranford Introduces New Plan For Recreational Areas