'A shiny diamond.' Brooklyn family remembers 12-year-old killed while subway surfing
The family says Zemfira had a fearless spirit and a curiosity that sometimes led her to take risks, one of which turned tragic less than two weeks before her 13th birthday.
More Stories
The family of 12-year-old Zemfira Mukhtarov is remembering her as joyful, curious and full of life, nearly a week after she was killed while allegedly subway surfing in Williamsburg.
Police say Zemfira and another teenager were found dead on top of a train at the Marcy Avenue–Broadway station last Saturday night.
Inside the family’s Bay Ridge home, Zemfira’s mother, Natalia Rudenko, shared memories of her daughter.
“Zemfira was the happiest person in the whole world. She always shared with her friends and neighbors. Everybody remembers her like a shiny diamond,” she said.
Zemfira’s mother said her daughter loved makeup, food, and adventure. Her younger sister, just 11 years old, described her as a leader and a kind soul.
The family says Zemfira had a fearless spirit and a curiosity that sometimes led her to take risks, one of which turned tragic less than two weeks before her 13th birthday.
This year alone, at least five people have died while subway surfing, according to the NYPD.
Zemfira’s parents are now urging the city to do more to prevent young people from accessing the tops of trains.
“To put police in the train stations,” her mother said in tears.
The family plans to hold a celebration of Zemfira’s life this Saturday at Andrew Torregrossa & Sons Funeral Home on 79th Street in Dyker Heights from 1 to 7 p.m.
