NJ woman celebrating 24th birthday identified as victim in Dominican Republic nightclub roof collapse

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A New Jersey lady celebrating her twenty fourth birthday has been confirmed as one of many lifeless within the tragic roof collapse at a Dominican Republic nightclub that killed 225.

The physique of Jennifer Contreras, of Passaic, was pulled from the rubble of the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo on Wednesday evening, her sister, Luz Contreras, informed NJ.com.

Contreras had been staying within the Dominican Republic engaged on her eyebrow micropigmentation certification so she might work at her nail salon, LuziBeauty, in New Jersey.

Jennifer Contreras was killed within the Jet Set nightclub roof collapse on April 8. Jennifer Contreras/Fb

On April 8, she went out with mates to have a good time her upcoming birthday on the Jet Set nightclub when the tragedy occurred.

Luz mentioned her youthful sister needed her to make a journey to the Island to have a good time, however was in the end unable to get off work.

“All people knew, all people who is aware of us, knew, she was my greatest good friend, my associate in crime, we at all times did all the things collectively,” Luz informed the outlet.

“She needed me to go along with her on this journey, however I couldn’t cancel on my shoppers.”

A crowdfunding web page arrange by Contreras’s household said that she aspired to begin her personal magnificence enterprise after acquiring her eyebrow micropigmentation certification.

Contreras, of Passaic, was pulled from the rubble of the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo on Wednesday evening. Jennifer Contreras/Fb

“Jennifer was probably the most type hearted, loving, and comfortable particular person. She was an unbelievable daughter, sister, good friend, cousin, and extra,” her brother, Anthony Contreras, wrote.

Her household shared that they're elevating cash to convey her physique again to the US for a funeral service.

“As a result of Jennifer’s stays are within the Dominican Republic the monetary burden of the logistics, mortuary companies in each nations, and funeral companies right here in United states of america has put a stress on us and our household on this troublesome time,” Contreras added. “We ask that you simply pray and reward for my sister and our household right now.”

An individual works to fumigate the particles from the collapsed roof of the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on April 12, 2025. Orlando Barria/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

One other sufferer from New Jersey, Antonia Ignacio Douglas, was additionally killed within the lethal collapse, the Metropolis of Perth Amboy Mayor Helmin Caba wrote on Fb Friday.

“We have now acquired affirmation that one in all our personal residents, Antonia Ignacio Douglas, affectionately often known as Violeta, was amongst those that misplaced their lives.”

“To Violeta’s household, I provide—not solely as your mayor however as your neighbor—my deepest and most private sorrow. Your metropolis mourns with you. We acknowledge the burden of your grief, and we're dedicated to strolling beside you as you navigate this immense loss,” Caba added.

A drone view reveals the positioning of Jet Set nightclub roof collapse, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. REUTERS

Ignacio Douglas was on trip within the Dominican Republic when she died within the nightclub roof collapse, in keeping with a crowdfunding web page began by her mom, Jariel Ignacio.

“Violeta was stuffed with pleasure, love, and light-weight, really one of the best mother we might’ve requested for,” her mom wrote. “She was additionally a loving good friend, aunt, grandmother, and sister who touched the lives of everybody round her.”

A vigil to recollect each Contreras and Ignacio Douglas was held at a restaurant in Jersey Metropolis Sunday evening, in keeping with New 12 New Jersey.

The tragedy on the Jet Set nightclub left at the least 225 lifeless — together with former main leaguers Tony Blanco and Octavio Dotel.

Individuals mild candles throughout a vigil for the victims of a current accident at Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on April 11, 2025. Orlando Barría/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Dotel was a former Mets prospect who went on to win a World Sequence ring with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011.

Additionally killed was Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi province and the sister of former main league slugger Nelson Cruz.

A New York Metropolis-based artwork vendor, Elivira Malkic, and her husband, Hakim Boubazine, had been additionally killed when the nightclub’s rooftop got here down throughout widespread merengue singer Rubby Perez’s efficiency.

Pérez was additionally killed within the tragedy.

An investigation into what induced the nightclub’s roof to break down is ongoing. Proprietor Antonio Espaillat returned to Santo Domingo to “cooperate with the authorities” in probing the catastrophe.