Nichol Olsen’s birthday celebrated by family and friends

Friends and family of Nichol Olsen gathered at Raymond Russell Park today to release balloons in celebration of what would have been her 38th birthday. Olsen was shot to death almost five months ago with her two daughters, Alexa Denice Montez, 16, and London Sophia Bribiescas, 10, at a luxury home near Leon Springs. less Friends and family of Nichol Olsen gathered at Raymond Russell Park today to release balloons in celebration of what would have been her 38th birthday. Olsen was shot to death almost five months ago with her ... more Photo: Peggy O'Hare Photo: Peggy O'Hare Image 1 of / 9 Caption Close Nichol Olsen’s birthday celebrated by family and friends 1 / 9 Back to Gallery

Family and friends of Nichol Olsen, the mother found shot to death with her two daughters at a luxury home near Leon Springs almost five months ago, gathered at a local park today for a balloon release celebrating what would have been her 38th birthday.

Several dozen people met at Raymond Russell Park near the Dominion to share memories of Olsen and her daughters and to celebrate Olsen's life. The gathering was organized by Olsen's son, Skylar Nobles, 22, who wanted to pay tribute to his mother.

Olsen's friends and relatives released colorful balloons into the sky and watched as they drifted away. They joyously sang "Happy Birthday" to Olsen.

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"We're still going to celebrate her," said Olsen's friend, Michele Thomas, after the event. "Even though she's not with us in body, she's here with us in spirit."

Olsen's aunt, Peggy Williams of San Antonio, shared several memories of her niece with the small crowd.

"Her children were her life," Williams told listeners. "She was feisty ... But she had a heart of gold."

Carlos Montez, the father of Olsen's 16-year-old daughter, Alexa Denice Montez, who also died in the shootings, attended the balloon release with his wife.

"It's a very hard and emotional thing to have to go through, but something that I think is good for all of us, to come together in remembrance of them," he said. "I already know that we're going to do something for Alexa's birthday as well."

Olsen and her two daughters were found shot dead on the morning of Jan. 10 at a residence in the gated Anaqua Springs Ranch subdivision, where they lived with Olsen's boyfriend, 31-year-old Charles Wheeler. The woman and her daughters were discovered collapsed close together in an upstairs hallway. A gun was found near Olsen's body.

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The younger daughter was 10-year-old London Sophia Bribiescas.

Within days, the Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office ruled Olsen's death a suicide and her daughters' deaths homicides. The shootings are still under investigation by the Bexar County Sheriff's Office and the FBI.

Wheeler told investigators he'd left his house about 10 p.m. the night before the shootings after arguing with Olsen. He said he spent the night at a relative's place before returning home the next morning to find Olsen's and her daughters' bodies.

Olsen's family and friends have rejected any possibility that she could have harmed herself or her children.

pohare@express-news.net