Family continues search for answers five years after Gabi Hanley’s fatal shooting

Five years after Gabi Hanley was shot and killed near the intersection of Southeast Green River Parkway and Southeast Charleston Drive in Port St. Lucie, her family is still searching for answers and justice.

“She was an amazing, amazing young woman,” said Krystle Benitez, Hanley's cousin. "She had so much of her life ahead of her."

“She cared about so much. She had such a big heart,” said Nicole Vigilante, Hanley's mother.

Hanley's family remembers her for her big personality, her love for others, and her devotion to her daughter, Jayana.

“She would give you the shirt off her back without a question, not even a glance back, and expect nothing in return,” Benitez said.

On Oct. 5, 2021, Hanley was in a car with her boyfriend on Green River Parkway when another car pulled up and opened fire.

Police said two weapons were used to fire 37 shots into the vehicle.

“I think the worst part about it is that we’re still having to do stuff like this five years later, that we still don’t have the justice that our family needs and deserves,” Benitez said.

Five years have passed without an arrest, and Hanley's killer remains unidentified.

Her family has endured life without her, while Jayana has grown up asking questions about her mother.

“But why can’t mommy come back and live with us? Is there a phone up in heaven? Can I FaceTime her? It’s just…it’s hard,” Vigilante said.

Despite the lack of answers, Hanley's family has not given up.

They spent Tuesday afternoon back in the neighborhood where Hanley was killed, hanging and passing out posters asking for help to get justice.

They said they hope someone will come forward with information that helps police catch the killer.

“It’s not going to bring her back. And it’s not going to make me forget. It’s just justice, a little bit of closure,” Vigilante said.

“We will never stop saying her name. And we just hope other people do the same as well,” Benitez said.

Anyone with information about Gabi Hanley's case is urged to contact the Port St. Lucie Police Department at 772-871-5000 or Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-800-273-TIPS.

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