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Emotional Funeral for SF Tiger Victim

Survivor brothers embrace parents of dead teen

By Colleen Barry, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 9, 2008 3:00 AM CST

(Newser) – Two survivors of a Christmas Day tiger attack at the San Francisco Zoo that killed their friend yesterday embraced the distraught parents of the fallen teen at his emotional funeral. "There's a lot of anger inside," said a pal of 17-year-old Carlos Sousa Jr., who was laid to rest in an Oakland Raiders jersey.

Carlos' mother hugged the brothers who survived the mauling, telling the media that she's eager to hear their account of the tragedy, but that they need time to heal. Some press reports have said Sousa was killed as he tried to save one of the brothers. When asked if the zoo was responsible for her son's death because the tiger enclosure doesn't meet national guidelines, she said, "It was too small. It doesn't change anything. My son is dead."

Beatris Silva, left, looks into the casket of her brother Carlos Sousa, Jr. at a viewing in San Jose, Calif., Monday, Jan. 7, 2008. Also pictured is Sousa's father Carlos Souza, right, and mother Marilza... (Associated Press)

Carlos Sousa, left, and his wife Marilza Sousa address the media about the death of their son Carlos Jr. at their home in San Jose, Calif., Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2007. Carlos Sousa Jr., 17, of San Jose,... (Associated Press)

Marilza Sousa, left, hugs Paul Dhaliwal, injured in a Christmas Day tiger attack, while Carlos Sousa, Sr., right, hugs Sunny Dhaliwal during funeral services for their 17-year-old son Carlos Sousa Jr.,... (Associated Press)

The San Francisco Zoo, foreground, sits closed on Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2007, in San Francisco, following a Christmas Day tiger attack. Tatiana, a Siberian tiger, escaped from her enclosure and attacked... (Associated Press)

Paul Dhaliwal leaves the funeral of his friend Carlos Sousa Jr. in San Jose, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2008. Carlos Sousa Jr. was killed by a Siberian Tiger which escaped its enclosure at the San Francisco... (Associated Press)

Kulbir Dhaliwal leaves the burial of his friend Carlos Sousa Jr. in San Jose, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2008. Carlos Sousa Jr. was killed by a Siberian tiger which escaped its enclosure at the San Francisco... (Associated Press)

A well-wisher looks at pictures from Carlos Sousa Jr.'s life at Sousa's funeral in San Jose, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2008. Carlos Sousa Jr. was killed by a Siberian tiger which escaped its enclosure... (Associated Press)

Beatris Silva kisses the tomb of her brother Carlos Sousa Jr. at his burial in San Jose, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2008. Carlos Sousa Jr. was killed by a Siberian tiger which escaped its enclosure at... (Associated Press)

Marilza Sousa touches the tomb of her son Carlos Sousa Jr. during his burial in San Jose, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2008. Carlos Sousa Jr. was killed by a 300-pound Siberian Tiger which escaped its enclosure... (Associated Press)

Paul Dhaliwal, third from left, and his brother Kulbir, far right, are among the attendees for the burial of Carlos Sousa Jr. in San Jose, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2008. Carlos Sousa Jr. was killed by... (Associated Press)

Paul Dhaliwal, right, his brother, Kulbir, far left, and a third unidentified man, center, leave the funeral of Carlos Sousa Jr. in San Jose, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2008. Carlos Sousa Jr. was killed... (Associated Press)

The Sousa family, Carlos Sousa, left, son Leo Ferreira, daughter Betris Silva, second from right, and his wife Marilza, right, follows the casket of his son Carlos Sousa Jr. out of the church service... (Associated Press)

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Survivor brothers embrace parents of dead teen

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Zoo: Killer Tiger Was Provoked

Shoe, blood by fence indicate a visitor may have dangled leg

Report Rips Zoo in Tiger Attack

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Tiger Attack Probe Suspended

SF police find no conclusive evidence of wrongdoing by victims

SF Tiger Attack Survivors Made Silence Pact

Brothers vowed in ambulance not to talk to police, report says

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But how she jumped it is beyond me: zoo chief

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Oakland Raiders • animal attack • funeral • San Francisco Zoo • tiger mauling • Carlos Sousa Jr

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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Zoo: Killer Tiger Was Provoked

Shoe, blood by fence indicate a visitor may have dangled leg

Report Rips Zoo in Tiger Attack

Facility was understaffed and unprepared for emergency

Tiger Attack Probe Suspended

SF police find no conclusive evidence of wrongdoing by victims

SF Tiger Attack Survivors Made Silence Pact

Brothers vowed in ambulance not to talk to police, report says

Tiger's Wall Lower Than National Standard

But how she jumped it is beyond me: zoo chief

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Newser By Users

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