In the Name of Justice: OC Supervisor Don Wagner Will Memorialize Aiden Leos at OC Zoo

June 14, 2021 4:44 pm

Orange– Today, Orange County Supervisor Don Wagner stood with Aiden Leos’s family to announce that a dedication plaque in the name of Aiden Leos will be installed at the Orange County Zoo. The new, two-acre “Large Mammal Exhibit” is currently under construction and will open in early 2022 along with the honorary plaque in Aiden’s name.

A photo of Aiden at OC Zoo in front of the mountain lion exhibit prompted Supervisor Wagner to remember Aiden and other victims of violent crimes in Orange County with the memorial plaque.

OC Supervisor Don Wagner Coordinates Memorial of Aiden Leos at OC Zoo. Photo by Keyang Pang

“Today we want to celebrate Aiden’s memory, and say to other victims: this community has your back. Just as this community has done for Aiden, we are going to work to bring justice for all victims. What happened to Aiden galvanized our community to find his killer and it can motivate us to hunt down and bring to justice the perpetrators of other violent crimes. We will not stand for these kinds of crimes in Orange County,” said Supervisor Wagner.

Supervisor Wagner thanked the family for being brave, gracious, and for throwing themselves wholeheartedly into the search for justice. Joanna Cloonan (Aiden’s mother), Alexis Cloonan (Aiden’s sister), and Carla Lacy (Alexis’s grandmother), along with OC Zoo, staff were all in attendance.

(L TO R) Carly Lacy, Joanna Cloonan and Alexis Cloonan. Photo by Keyang Pang

“On behalf of the family, we want to take this moment and allow it to be a joyous occasion, to honor Aiden’s spirit of kindness and graciousness. I can’t think of a better place than here at Irvine Regional Park where he enjoyed many visits with his family,” said Carly Lacy, family spokesperson.

Carla continued, “We are so grateful to Supervisor Wagner and his office for working with OC Parks, to allow this honor for Aiden. It is warming to the hearts of our family, and a step in the right direction for the healing process. It’s going to be a joyous place to come and be happy.”