José Fernández's Ex Reveals Her Heartbreak After His Death
This article was originally published by Caitlin Keating on PEOPLE.com.
Three days after Miami Marlins pitcher José Fernández was tragically killed in a boating accident with two of his close friends, his ex-girlfriend of three years has spoken out about her unbearable heartbreak.
"Nothing will make this time easy for anyone and if you do one thing today, let it be that you tell those close to you how much you love them," Carla Mendoza wrote in an Instagram post on Tuesday. "Not one day will pass by that I don't think about him or love him."
Mendoza also said her heart also goes out to Fernández's current girlfriend – Maria Arias – who is expecting his child.
“Please honor Joses memory by respecting his daughter and her mother as I'm sure this is all too painful for her as well," Mendoza wrote.
Just one week ago, Fernández posted on Instagram about the happiness he feels when it comes to starting a family.
The Marlins announced a memorial service Wednesday at St. Brendan's Catholic Church, where mourners could come to pay their respects. The funeral procession is scheduled to being at 2 p.m. Wednesday, leaving from Marlins Park.
A private mass is scheduled for Thursday for Fernández's family, as well as Marlins players, coaches and staff.
The family is asking that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Miami Foundation.
On Monday, the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner Department confirmed that the other two victims were Fernández's longtime friends, Emilio Macias, 27, and Eduardo Rivero, 25.
The Daily Mail first reported that Fernández was set to start a family with 24-year-old psychology student Maria Arias.
• With reporting by BECKY RANDEL