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Friends of Isabella Gonzales, the Carrollton soldier who was killed during an attack in Jordan expressed shock and disbelief on Tuesday, a day after federal officials announced that the 19-year-old is a casualty of war.
Her friends were quick to point to Gonzales' contagious laugh when asked what they will miss most about her -- but they also described her in other ways: Funny. Supportive. Charismatic. Brave. Beautiful.
"She was always like a pop of color," friend Nevaeh Mallard said. "She was just really bright. It was never a dull moment with her."
Gonzales, U.S. Army private, who graduated from Hebron High School in 2025, was one of the two service members killed following an Iranian attack at an air base in Jordan on July 17.
Jasmin Lee said she met Gonzales through mutual friends, although Lee attended Plano Senior High School.
The two used to dream together about their futures, Lee said. Before deciding to enlist, Gonzales once hoped to become a veterinarian because of her love for dogs, Lee said. But, she said, Gonzales ultimately decided to join the army to make her friends and parents proud.
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As a fan of A24 movies and the Twilight series, Gonzales was always pushing Lee to chase her passion of working in the film industry. Lee followed her advice, and is now studying media arts at Southern Methodist University.
"She was such a supporter to any girl," Lee said. "She was genuinely a girl's girl."
Through tears, Lee shared that she and Gonzales had plans of celebrating Lee's 21st birthday by going to a bar.
"I want everyone to remember that she was a really brave girl," Lee said.
Mallard said she became friends with Gonzales when they both attended Durham Middle School. She recalled Gonzales eating hot Cheetos in the morning as the pair would sit in the high school cafeteria, waiting to be released for classes.
"She was very goofy, never stopped laughing," Mallard said. "She was very optimistic. She always found the light in a lot of situations."
In middle school, Mallard was bullied, she said, but Gonzales consistently stood by her side.
"Isabella was definitely one of those friends who was just 10 toes, " Mallard said, an expression meaning her friend was always there for her. "She never made me feel like I was left out."
The two stayed in touch every so often since middle school, but they unexpectedly crossed paths at the Dallas military entrance processing station in March 2025 when they were both in the process of enlisting.
"She looked so happy, but I know a little part of her was nervous," Mallard said.
Mallard, who is an Airman First Class in the Air Force, said she is trying to stay strong, but Gonzales' death has hit her hard.
"You didn't deserve to go so soon, but just know that you are now my why. You are now my reason to keep going," she said about Gonzales.
The American Legion Family of Carrollton is collecting donations to support Gonzales' family with immediate and future expenses. John Norsworthy, commander of American Legion Post 597 in Carrollton, said the nonprofit will distribute all of the funds raised to the family and will not retain a portion for management fees.
Staff writer Michael Cuviello contributed to this report.
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