Who Was Amanda Alvear?

As officials confirm the victims of the Sunday attack on the popular gay nightclub, Pulse — which is considered the worst mass shooting in U.S. history — officials have started sharing the names with the public via the city's website. According to the latest reports, 49 people were killed and 53 were wounded at the attack on Pulse. Among the victims in the horrific Orlando attack is 25-year-old Amanda Alvear. As her family shares memories and details about Alvear, it's clear she was a woman who was committed to helping others.

Her brother, Brian Alvear, told the Orlando Sentinel that Amanda spent what would be the last days of her life taking her nieces — 12-year-old Bella and 8-year-old Zatanna — out shopping. "She was a fashionista. She liked to look good and she wanted my girls – her girls - to look good," Brian said of his sister. He described how people loved to go out with Amanda:

People got caught in her wake ... Whatever she was doing, that's what they were going to do and have fun doing it.

Over the past two years, Amanda had undergone gastric bypass surgery and lost 180 pounds. The Orlando Sentinel reported that Alvear worked as a pharmacy technician and graduated from Ridge Community High School in Davenport, Florida. According to a report in The Guardian, Alvear was nursing student at the University of South Florida.

Brian said Amanda was always careful about making sure her family wouldn't worry about her, telling the Orlando Sentinel, "She was meticulous about calling home, letting my parents know if she was coming home, staying out or staying with friends." Brian also made it clear that his sister "wouldn't want anyone to spread hate for her," even in the wake of her murder. Instead, he said, "She'd rather they spread more love, keep friends and family close, and have a good time doing it."

Alvear's friend, Mercedez Marisol Flores, age 26, was also among the fatalities from Sunday's attack.