Annual homeless vigil remembers Clark County’s forgotten

John's heart gave out by some trash bins behind a fast-food restaurant .

Elizabeth took her last breath in a storm drain, a lethal dose of meth coursing through her veins.

Jesus shot himself in the heart behind an auto repair shop.

Erasmo was stabbed to death.

They're among the 72 accounted for by the Clark County coroner and remembered Thursday during a candlelight vigil to memorialize homeless people who died during the year.

Linda Lera-Randle El, director of the Straight from the Streets homeless outreach program, has organized the public vigil each December since 1996.

The event draws attention to homelessness in the valley and lets those living on the street know they are not forgotten, Lera-Randle El said.

"None of us can imagine dying on the streets alone," she said.

A cold rain soaked the event, so Lera-Randle El put up some tents to shield attendees from the rain rather than moving the event indoors.

"They have to deal with this, too," she said.

Also remembered was Shannon West Redwine, 45, former regional homeless coordinator for Southern Nevada, who died Nov. 30 after a long battle with breast cancer. She is the namesake for HELP of Southern Nevada's homeless youth shelter at Foremaster Lane and Las Vegas Boulevard. Monsignor Patrick Leary, who died of heart failure earlier this month, was also recognized. He served as president and CEO of Catholic Charities.

The list of homeless deaths are telling of life on the street: drugs, alcohol, HIV, liver disease, kidney failure and exposure to the elements. There are 21 more names on the list this year than last. The oldest was 77. The youngest was 29. Only four were women. Six were military veterans.

Most died naturally. Some died in the scorching summer heat while others succumbed to the piercing cold. A handful committed suicide. The others died accidentally - their battered bodies shut down from drugs and alcohol.

John Wakefield Wynn, 67, was the man who died from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease behind a McDonald's.

Elizabeth Jane Wiedow, 45, died from methamphetamine intoxication in one of the valley's drainage systems that channels excess rain and groundwater away from streets.

Jesus Perez Martinez, 61, died from a self-inflicted gunshot to his chest behind an auto repair shop.

Erasmo Ortiz, 44, died at a hospital from multiple stab wounds. He was found near the 400 block of East McWilliams Street, near North Bruce Street. Las Vegas police are still investigating his case.

More than 9,400 people sleep in shelters and on Clark County streets, according to a January 2011 homeless count.

Ted, 45, who used to be homeless but is now housed through a HELP of Southern Nevada program, said he could relate. He slept on the street and struggled with alcohol. Now, he is in a treatment program and said he is "fortunate I wasn't killed."

"It could have been me," he said.