Giovanny Alvarez, shown in a family photo with two of his children
There’s a community meeting scheduled for tomorrow night, Wed., May 31, at 6 pm at the Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center (515 Cortland) to discuss the homicide that took place last week, when the body of a man who had been fatally stabbed was found on the south side of Bernal Hill in the early hours of the morning on May 25. Capt. Joseph McFaden from SFPD’s Ingleside Station and D9 Supervisor Hillary Ronen will be in attendance.
The Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the victim as Giovanny Alvarez, 33, a San Francisco resident.
According to Giovanny Alvarez’s family, the victim was a family man and the father of four children. He grew up on Moultrie Street in Bernal Heights and attended Leonard Flynn Elementary School next to Precita Park before moving to The Bayview.
“We’re devastated. We’re also frustrated,” Alvarez’s sister told Bernalwood. “We’re desperate to know what happened.”
“He was a normal person who liked going out with friends, but we don’t know what happened or who he was with,” she said. “Our family is looking for justice, not only for us, but for our whole community. We don’t feel safe knowing there is a killer walking the streets. We don’t want this case to be just another murder that goes unsolved here in San Francisco.”
Alvarez’s family is looking for information from anyone who may have seen Giovanny on the night of May 24-25, or witnessed the crime. Please call the San Francisco Police Department Tip Line at (415) 575-4444. Tipsters may remain anonymous.
In addition, Alvarez’s family has set up a GoFundMe page to help defray costs associated with his burial. They write:
Giovanny Alvarez a Beloved father, son, uncle and friend. He was loved by many, his laughter brightened our day and he didn’t deserve to die like he did. He was passionate, artistic, and funny. People took him away from us too soon, he was too young. He was murdered on May 25th , 2017 and left to die in our local park In San Francisco. The police is investigating and trying to get justice for our beloved Gio. If you have any information regarding this monstrous crime please contact the police as soon as possible. Please help and share so we can properly bury him how he deserved and wanted. Keep us in your prayers and thank you so much.
En español
Giovanny Alvarez un Querido padre, hijo, tío y amigo. Él fue amado por muchos, su risa iluminó nuestro día y no merecía morir como lo asecinaron. Él era apasionado, artístico, y divertido. Su vida fue arrebatada de el y nosotros tomó nosotros demasiado pronto, él era demasiado joven. Fue asesinado el 25 de mayo de 2017 y abandonado para morir en ub parque local en San Francisco. La policía está investigando y tratando de conseguir justicia para nuestro amado Giovanny. Si tiene una informacion de este monstroso crimer porfavor llamar a la policia. Por favor ayude y comparta para que podamos enterrarlo adecuadamente como se merecía y quería.Manténgannos en sus oraciones y muchas gracias.
Bernalwood 
So it was not a targeted attack? Just a neighbor walking by the park and was killed? That’s completely insane. I haven’t noticed any increased police presence. People have advocated for CCTV cameras down by Holladay Ave in the past. Time to push for more action from Ronen.
I walked up to Bernal park yesterday (live off Andover) and noticed the makeshift altar where I presume Giovanny was found. Another resident was there and talked to me. He mentioned that it’s speculated that the crime didn’t take place in the park, but the victim was taken there and left. Are these questions that the SFPD will reveal or still keeping under wraps due to the investigation?
The man that spoke to me told me about the gofundme page for the victims funeral.
A Go Fund Me page for the funeral expenses — with a goal of $25,000? That’s going to be one hell of a funeral.
My family buried my mother last year, may she rest in peace. Her truly modest funeral and preparations cost us 15k and she still doesn’t have a headstone. 25k doesn’t seem too far off the mark and if the family had 5 – 8k left over to cover bills for a month or two, I think that would be nice. Or to cover tried services or whatever this particular family’s needs are.
Unfortunately, $25k is about right. Funeral services, like weddings, are a racket. There’s the embalming, coffin, church reservation, wake/viewing, headstone, burial plot, legal assistance, etc. Dying is expensive for those who live on, especially if you were young and hadn’t already planned things out.
We have no idea what transpired in Giovanny’s death. Let’s be sympathetic to the family no matter what Is discovered about this incident.
Yes please.
A non-judgmental judge!! Seriously though, yes I agree.
My condolences go out to the family, whether this was random or targeted. =(
I am so sorry this happened.
Deepest condolences to the Alvarez family.
Was the community meeting attended last night by law enforcement officials with any details? we deserve to know what kind of crime this was, at a basic level, for our own safety and vigilance.
Pingback: Officials Seek to Reassure Residents After Homicide Victim Found on Bernal Hill | Bernalwood