LAKEWOOD, Colo. -- It was a little more than a year ago when little Donnie Ro'Mello Romero was murdered.
The toddler was found in the bottom of a storage bin with an electrical cord wrapped around his neck. A friend of Donnie's mother became the accused killer.
Donnie would have turned 4-years-old this year.
Family, friends and even strangers gathered at Sloan's Lake Saturday to celebrate the birthday of a boy who lost his life too soon.
"It's like a bad dream... like a nightmare," said Donnie's father, Ro'Mello Romero. "No parent should have to go through losing a child... much less a murder."
On a beautiful day, Donnie's life and legacy was remembered with a party full of superheroes. Donnie loved his superheroes.
Thor showed up. Even a big Bat Mobile rolled up on the grass.
"It's the community coming out. People have been following the story," said Romero. "It's reached so many different people for so long."
The story even touched the heart of a stranger. Baylee Willis showed up to the party with her little daughter.
"It's just hard," said Willis with tears streaming down her cheeks. "Even for someone who didn't even get the pleasure of meeting Donnie...it's hard."
Romero wants the party to become a tradition. He wants it to be a symbol of support for all kids out there...in the name of his son and the tragedy behind his story.
"I love him...I miss him," said Romero.
Family and friends walked around Sloan's lake and then released balloons to finish things off.
Lawyers for Donnie's suspected killer are trying to convince the court their client is unfit for trial because he's insane. That debate continues.
The Romero family is hopeful there will be a trial early next year.
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