Support Elijah's Funeral: A Life Gone Too Soon

Hello, I am Taylor Tovey, and I set up this GoFundMe for my brother-in-law, Elijah Bustamante-Martínez. We are devastated to share the heartbreaking loss of Elijah Bustamante-Martínez, a remarkable 16-year-old student at Hillcrest High School whose light touched countless lives. Elijah was an extraordinary young man, fearless, compassionate, and full of ambition. He never hesitated to stand at the pulpit in church, sharing his faith and inspiring everyone around him.

Elijah’s recent achievements speak to his incredible spirit and drive: he ran for SBO Officer at Hillcrest High School, spoke at the BYU writing conference, and was invited to serve as an AP Camp Leader for the church this year. He also served on the Youth Council for the Midvale Mayor’s Office, showing his dedication to making a difference in his community. Elijah dreamed of attending the University of Utah and Harvard, serving a full-time mission, and joining the military, dreams that were taken from him far too soon. One of his most profound and personal achievements was baptizing his own mother into the LDS church, a testament to his unwavering faith and the powerful impact he had on those closest to him.

More than his achievements, Elijah was known for his golden personality and unwavering kindness. He had a special gift for making people feel loved and understood. He wasn’t just a brother or a son, he was a best friend, a role model, and a source of comfort and strength to those around him. Every weekend, he stayed over with his sister Destiny Tovey and brother-in-law Taylor Tovey, creating cherished memories of heart-to-heart talks and laughter.

Our family is shattered by this unimaginable loss, especially his sister Destiny, who took Elijah everywhere she went and loved him like her own child. The pain of losing him feels unreal, a heartache none of us were prepared for.

Elijah leaves behind a family who adored him:

Benoni Bustamante (Brother)

Ashton Bustamante (Brother)

Nehemiah Bustamante (Sister)

Unique Vanekelenburg (Sister)

Dominique Martinez (Sister)

Destiny Tovey (Sister)

Jennifer Bustamante (Mother)

Clem Martínez (Father)

We are asking for support to give Elijah the funeral and memorial he deserves, a celebration of his life, his faith, and the profound impact he made on this world. Any contribution, no matter how small, will help ease the financial burden on our family during this devastating time.

Thank you for your kindness, love, and support. We are forever grateful for any help you can provide to honor Elijah’s beautiful soul.