Drake Ruiz
Drake was born in Newport Beach, California to Billy and Debbie Ruiz.
Drake was an amazing kid. He always kept us all laughing. He could always take a joke and then dish on back. He was an insanely spirited young man who will always be remembered.
Drake loved the ocean and never wanted to leave the water. He loved going to movies. Mostly comedies. He always wanted to play football or rugby with his friends and prove he was stronger than them. He loved God and wasn’t ashamed of his faith.
Drake has two half-siblings in Texas, Chelsea, and Austin. His younger brother Caleb lived with him and several kids he called his brothers and sisters lived with him at various times. He had one set of grandparents who recently moved in with him and was getting to know better.
He will be missed.
Rest in peace, sweet Drake. I don’t know any of the families of these three angels but my heart is just broken and so full at the same time. The families have shown such grace and forgiveness which can only come from our Lord & Savior. The fact that all three best friends were called back to heaven can be no coincidence. These boys were sent here into these exact families to teach us all a lesson- they are real time proof of the goodness and fullness and mercy of God. I wish with every piece of me that this tragedy did not happen but I want the families to know that the world is watching and we understand the lesson you are teaching us all! God bless you all, especially those sweet boys. <3
Your story is very touching. I did not know you sons but they sounded like they were amazing kids. I hope your family finds peace in this life. Keeping your families in our prayers at night. GOD bless you and keep you in HIS loving embrace.
I am so very sorry for your loss. I have not lost a child in death but i have lost a child through drug addiction, he is still alive.
but it feels like a death..he’s gone GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
What a wonderful young man. I am so sorry for your loss, but I know you will be reunited with your beautiful son one day.
I know i have a heart, because it broke reading about these 3 friends. What beautiful souls and they were that way because people took an interest in their lives to show them the way. my condolences for your loss. The world is a different world today. I remember as a boy playing this game with my friends and cousins. We never thought of being murdered. Keep there memories close. Don’t let them be forgotten.
Dear Daniel , Drake, and Jacob.
You are now all with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for eternity . Although he probably does not partake in DingDong Ditch the way you three did here on earth , I’m certain he sees your vibrancy and love of humor as an asset for eternity. As a father of four children who I could be much more involved with, your story of friendship and love of family in the name of God and Christ gives me new-found faith and a desire to be closer and more involved with my children . You three have left an indelible mark upon your family’s that will live on forever here on earth. Your killer will have to seek his own forgiveness and I have no doubt he will pay for his atrocities with a long prison sentence . God will prevail for all of us believers in the end! Thank you for inspiring love, family, and friendship for all of us. Your legacy will live on forever !
Gone too soon. I didn’t know these young spirited boys but my heart just broke hearing about these boys. God Bless All involved.
Thank you for your forgiveness, your son is safe in Gods arms.
Beautiful…Fly high Drake we love you, we will see you soon!
I am so heartbroken by your senseless loss. To say my deepest sympathies, thoughts, love, prayers are with you all, is not enough. I am a mom of a 16 year old & 20 year old and can’t imagine your pain. The boys were playing a game & this should NEVER have been the outcome. I so admire your strength & faith to issue forgiveness to the man who insanely took your son. I wouldn’t be strong enough to do the same. May God bless & keep you all.
It is so hard to lose a son. I know firsthand. But our son, Jeff, was 55 when he died unexpectedly. However I don’t think the grief is any different, gone is gone, and I will miss him until the day I die. My life will never be the same without him. He came by every evening to see if we needed anything or to help with something. We are both in our early 80s and we do have another son who is older than Jeff, Chuck jr. He has a family and has given us grade children. Alas, we never had daughters but now have a grand daughter. And we are content.
I am so sorry for your loss.
Absolutely heart breaking. Only good out of this is with their love of God, they are safe in His house forever. You will see them again❤️
What a beautiful tribute to the boys! My condolences to the family! 2020 has just been a horrible year! GOD has a plan though! Hopefully, GOD’s word and your memories will comfort you when you need it most.
I am so sorry for the loss of these three beautiful boys. What a senseless tragedy. My heart breaks for all your families. I will keep you all in my prayers. I will also keep in my prayers you get justice. God Bless you.
I came across this article today. As a mother, it breaks my heart to know these young boys were taken way too early from this earth. May god give their families strength to deal with this terrible tragedy. I am sure they are smiling in heaven watching over their families.
Hi, my name is Steven. I just bought People magazine and read the article on these three beautiful boys! I don’t have any children yet. But I plan to have a family someday. From what I read about Drake he sounds to me that he was a God fearing and very loving soul that cared for everyone he met. I know you will be reunited with all three boys someday in Heaven. I also pray that you get justice for what that man did. There is NO EXCUSE for what he did! God loves all of you and so do I May God Bless each of you and take care of you.
Thank you everyone for your lovely comments. This is truly special reading everyone’s thoughts and prayers. May God bless all of you and your families.
Im so sorry for your lost. They were 3 happy teenagers. Just because of a harmless prank didn’t deserve to be killed in such a horrible way leaving their families heartbroken. I hope that criminal spends the rest of his useless life in jail at the least.
3 lost lives and 3 others that will be traumatized for the rest of their lives. Rest in peace boys. You are your families are in my prayers.
Dear Remaining Families,
When I read about your amazing sons a Scripture came to mind and I believe it is for you. It is Isaiah 57:1-2. I pray it will not only bring comfort but help remind those remaining that they will be seen again soon for our days here are short.
Blessings,
Janice
Your story devastated me. Parents are not supposed to outlive their children and I can not imagine the pain all sets of parents are going through right now. I did not know your boys but I love ALL children. I came to the States almost 40 years ago to work for a family as a Nanny. I had travelled all over Europe doing the same thing and now I have my own girls but through a long ugly divorce my ex has always threatened to delete them from my life which he has done for the time being. I don’t hear from them or see them, it’s been 3 years but I don’t give up sending messages to them even though they are all ignored. All 3 best friends are in the arms of the Lord and May they RIP. You WILL be reunited one day.