In David Rodriguez’s hometown of San Antonio, Texas, whenever a close friend dies they paint a mural on the wall of a building to honor him or her.

So when his friend Lizzette Fountain, 19, was murdered Dec. 9, he found it only natural to do the same.

Rodriguez finished a graffiti art painting Jan. 15 on the north wall of the South Park Street Coin Laundromat he frequents. It took him three hours over two days to complete, in weather that was “a little nippy,” according to Rodriguez.

In letters a foot taller than himself, he spelled out with spray paint “Born Angel, in loving memory,” surrounded by hearts and stars.

“I made it colorful with hearts and stars, because she was always happy, always smiling,” he said.

Rodriguez said if he had more space on the wall, he would have drawn a portrait of her and written:

“It is known that when a person passes away/ The book of their life is closed/ Lizzette who was reborn 12-4-2002 but only as an angel/ Opened her new book writing the journey of her next life.”

Lizzette’s mother, Marie Fountain, said she thinks the mural was part of Rodriguez’s healing process.

“He wouldn’t let me help out with paint and wouldn’t take anything from me; it was something he needed to do,” she said. “He did it from his heart, and it turned out beautifully.”

Lizzette’s murder is still unsolved, so Marie worked with city officials to put together a $5,000 reward fund for people with vital information who have not yet come forward.

“We would like to see the fund grow,” Marie said. “I think there is more than one person out there with the last piece of the puzzle.”

Lizzette’s boyfriend, Thomas McCants, remains in custody after his indictment for cocaine and firearms charges unrelated to the murder. Fitchburg police chief Tom Blatter said he is one of several suspects in the homicide.

“The two cases parallel and are woven together,” Blatter said. “We haven’t ruled out anyone yet.”

Marie said she is anxious for the fund to grow and for new information to come forward.

“I believe her soul won’t rest until she sees justice,” Marie said.

Until then, she said she is comforted by the overwhelming support from her family and friends and by Rodriguez’s artwork for all to see.

“We’ve lived in Madison all our lives, and it’s so special to me,” Marie said. “Now I’ll always be able to see that tribute.”

Rodriguez said it was important to him to make the mural legible to everyone.

“When you see the other kind of artwork on the wall, I think it’s just hard for everyone to understand it,” he said. “Mine, I wanted everybody to understand.”

He said Lizzette used to love his drawings, and he would make drawings for her on paper during their algebra class together at Madison West High School.

“This [mural] is a message for her, something to remember her by,” Rodriguez said.

To submit information to the investigation, call Crimestoppers at 270-4321 or 270-4300