Pembroke Pines, FLA – One week after a successful realtor disappeared from her Pembroke Pines home, loved ones filed into a funeral home for a private viewing Sunday.
The body of 43-year old Natalie Belmonte was found Wednesday in a marshy area not far from where she lived.
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The woman's adopted son, 21-year old Gerard Lopes, has been arrested and charged with her murder.
"It's hard for us, the family the co-workers, the friends -- everybody", said Aquila Rodgers, Belmonte's close friend and co-worker.
"Every photo you see, she's always smiling and that's what I always try to remember," Rodgers said.
More than 100 people streamed into the Boyd Panciera funeral home on South Douglas Road in Pembroke Pines to say their goodbyes.
Belmonte's ex-husband and their two biological children greeted and hugged mourners outside of the building.
"It's a great loss and we're just going to have happy thoughts", said family friend Maria Becerra.
Some of Belmonte's co-workers wore high-fashion shoes in her honor because she loved shoes. Another friend, wore a red dress, red shoes and painted her nails red because it was Natalie's favorite color.
No one from the Belmonte family wanted to speak publicly during the service.
The viewing and funeral ends a week of twists and turns in the murder mystery.
Belmonte was reported missing Sunday by her adopted son after the two returned home from a family gathering.
Gerard Lopes initially told detectives that his mother was nowhere to be found when he awoke late Sunday morning.
Her car, keys, cellphone and purse were still inside of the home. Police called the woman's disappearance "suspicious" from the very beginning and searched nearby canals and dumpsters which ultimately yielded some crucial evidence.
Lopes was arrested as police recovered Natalie's body, four days after she first disappeared. Investigators are not saying how the woman was killed.
Funeral services are set for Monday at 10 a.m. at the Blessed John XXIII Catholic Church, 16800 Miramar Parkway in Miramar.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in memory of Belmonte be sent to:
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (Tribute #: 28659538) P.O.Box 1000 Dept. 142 Memphis, TN 38148
Donations are also accepted by phone 800-822-6344.