GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — For families of violent crime victims, remembering a lost family member can bring up the same hurt and pain as the day they were told the tragic news.
At the same time, for some like Kristine Young and Dana Nelson, gatherings like the Violent Crime Victim's Vigil at the 63rd Kent County District Courthouse can help bring a sense of peace.
"It's support," said Kristine. "It's nice to have that support knowing that other people have experienced. We all deal with it differently."
The annual vigil brings together law enforcement, like the Kent County Prosecutor's Office, Silent Observer, the Grand Rapids Police Department and the Kent County Sheriff's Office.
"I think it is that they find it rewarding and kind of comforting that their loved ones who have been victims of a crime are remembered and not forgotten and that's the biggest thing, they just think they're another number and that's not the case," said Prosecutor Chris Becker.
Toward the end of the vigil, over 40 names of victims were read off.
Some of the names included Dean Elliot, Kane Coronado, Leah Gomez, Ruby Garcia and Ashley Young.
Kristine is Ashley's mother, and Dana, her stepmother.
In 2018, some of Ashley's remains were found at the Grand Rapids home of Jared Chance. He was convicted of second-degree murder in 2019 and sentenced to between 100 and 200 years in prison.
"Hearing the name of your loved one, it just brings back everything and makes it seem a little brighter," said Dana.
The vigil also focused on victim's rights, something Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young touched on.
"The Prosecutor's Office has a victim advocate department that helps them walk through what's going to happen in court," said LaJoye-Young. "What's going to happen when you're in the audience and somebody's testifying, what kinds of things will they be asked, and what we can't bring into the case."
For Ashley's family, they said they're still grieving. They're still trying to find the rest of the 31-year-old's remains.
"It's nice to have a gathering knowing that you're not the only one and how do you move on," said Dana. "How do you deal?"
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.
Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Watch 13 ON YOUR SIDE for free on Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV and on your phone.