Sharmon Jay Intili, who was killed a week ago at her home in Corona, is remembered not only as a loving sister and mother but also as the glue that had kept a group of friends tightknit since high school.
Ten of those friends gathered Monday night at another Corona home, where they shared memories of Intili and offered one another a shoulder to cry on. The 46-year-old was part of a bigger group of about 40 friends that went to Norco High School together and kept close after graduation.
Intili was known for being the life of the party.
"To see her without a smile was rare," said her longtime friend Dave Rike. "Every time we would get together, it was always a good time."
Intili's friend Tony Riech – Intili introduced him to his wife, Janine – said she had an appreciation for life that the group cherished.
"When we would get lost in the moment, she was always the one that would say, 'You know, you're right. This is awesome. Check out how much fun we're having,'" Riech said.
Corona police released sparse information about Intili's death: only that she was found covered in blood about 7 p.m. Nov. 23 in the 1000 block of East Grand Boulevard, and that her death is considered a homicide.
This week, Sgt. Paul Mercado declined to discuss the investigation or any possible suspects or motives, saying the investigation was in a "critical phase."
Intili's friends also declined to discuss the police investigation in an effort to not interfere.
Her brother, Brett Crawford, said Intili's 17-year-old daughter found her body the night before Thanksgiving.
"I wish I could take that pain away from her," Rike said.
Intili also had a 19-year-old daughter, Crawford said. Her daughters "were her entire world," said Mike Seiler, who had been dating Intili on and off since 2010.
"She would do anything for those girls," Seiler said. "If she was broke, she would go even more broke just to make sure they were happy."
Her kindness extended to just about everyone she came across, Crawford said.
"She wasn't rich by any means," Crawford said. "She struggled with her two girls. But man, if she had a dime and you needed a nickel, she would give it to you."