JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The family of 22-year-old Julian Magaña is searching for answers after his mysterious death in Jacksonville. Magaña, who recently moved from Arizona to Florida, was found unresponsive in an apartment just two weeks after settling into the city. Now, his fiancée and family are speaking out, hoping to uncover the truth behind his tragic passing.
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Magaña, known to his loved ones as “Juju,” relocated to Jacksonville in hopes of starting a new chapter in his life. He had big plans to build a career in healthcare, securing a job before even arriving in the city. He moved into the Hawthorne Apartments on the Southside with two roommates, childhood friends from Arizona. But just two weeks after his move, his life was unexpectedly cut short.
On Nov. 24, 2024, Magaña’s family received a call from a detective informing them of his death. His fiancée, Valerie Mikilen, is devastated by the loss and struggling to understand what happened.
“He had his roommates, who were very close friends of his from high school. He was going to go down there and get a fresh start. He already had a job lined up. He interviewed for it as soon as he got there. And within just two weeks, he’s found unresponsive,” Magaña‘s Fiancée Valerie Mikilen.
The family’s concerns grew when they received Julian’s body back in Arizona and noticed extensive bruising on his face and body. According to his mother, Josephine Rodriguez, his injuries were shocking and raised serious questions.
“When I saw my son… his face, his eye, his forehead, his head temple—swollen. His eyes were swollen. His nose was caved in. And he had bruises—lots of bruises all over his body. He had a big one right here.,” Josephine Rodriguez, Julian‘s Mother.
Magaña’s roommates, who were with him at the time of his death, reportedly found him unresponsive and called 911. Despite efforts to revive him, Julian was pronounced dead at the hospital shortly thereafter. With no arrests made and no clear answers, Julian’s family is asking for help to piece together the circumstances of his death.
“We are asking and appealing to anyone who lives in the property, or anyone who was around at the time, to help with any surveillance footage or information from the vicinity,” Mikilen.
The family has expressed frustration at the lack of progress in the investigation. They are particularly concerned that there were no visible security cameras on the property, leaving them with few leads to follow.
“It doesn’t seem right. No one knows anything. No property cameras. It just doesn’t seem right,” Anthony Rodriguez, Magaña‘s Uncle
As the investigation continues, the family remains hopeful that someone, somewhere will come forward with crucial information that will bring clarity and justice for Julian.
The young man’s life was tragically cut short, and his loved ones are desperate to find out why.
The family is urging anyone with information, particularly residents of the Hawthorne Apartments or anyone who was nearby, to come forward. They are asking for any surveillance footage or details that could help uncover the truth behind Julian’s death.
Authorities have not yet made any arrests or provided further details about the ongoing investigation.
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