The violent death of young people causes changes in the everyday life of families and communities, particularly in the survivors' ways of organization. This study aimed to investigate the alterations in the emotional and relational aspects as well as in the social support network of eight families who lost young relatives, victims of homicide in the Federal District. The victims' mothers and siblings participated in the research answering a questionnaire about the family system and a semi-structured interview. The reports were submitted to qualitative analysis and showed feelings of despair, pain, guilt, anger, and fear. The episode changed the family functioning, causing disruption to marital and parental relationships. The results indicate the necessity of strengthening the social support network and investing in public policies.
family; violence; juvenile homicide; bereavement; support network