A community organization is helping to defray funeral expenses for the family of a young Oakley woman killed last week during a domestic dispute.

The Friends of Oakley donated $900 to the family of Elizabeth Reyes after learning of the family’s financial difficulties. “We heard that the family was experiencing a shortfall in completing the funeral arrangements, so we wanted to step up and help,” said Jim Frazier, a member of the nonprofit organization. “That’s what a community foundation is for, and we were glad to be of assistance.”

Reyes, 21, was found dead in her home on Pheasant Way in Oakley on March 17. The 21-year-old father of Reyes’ two young children has been formally charged with the murder and is being held on $1 million bail at the Contra Costa County Jail in Martinez.

Authorities say Francisco Ayala-Lares called the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s dispatch around 4:30 p.m. on March 17 and admitted to involvement in an altercation at Reyes’ residence.

Deputy Sheriffs picked up Ayala-Lares on the 400 block of West Fourth Street in Antioch and transported him to the Martinez Detention Facility, where he was booked on homicide charges.

“Obviously it’s very sad,” said Oakley Police Chief Chris Thorsen. “There were obvious signs of blunt-force trauma and it appears at this point that it was a domestic dispute. There was an altercation; he (Ayala-Lares) left the house and then called the dispatchers. A short time later he turned himself into the police.”

The homicide is Oakley’s first since 2006.

The couple’s two children, ages 2 and 11 months, are being cared for by Child and Family Services personnel.

Those with information regarding this case should call the Office of the Sheriff at 925-646-2441.