Neighbors, friends, and family in Constantine remember 11-year-old Jodi Parrack, one year after her murder. (WSBT photo)
Story Created:
Nov 8, 2008 at 10:37 PM EDT
Story Updated:
Nov 9, 2008 at 11:19 AM EDT
CONSTANTINE -- Neighbors, friends, and family attended a candlelight vigil Saturday night to remember 11-year-old Jodi Parrack. Her mother found her body last November in a Constantine cemetery. Despite receiving hundreds of tips, police still haven't made any arrests.
At the vigil, people remembered Jodi's life and prayed for her family. It was also a time for police to remind the community they still need their help to solve this case.
"I can't believe it's been a year since she's been gone," said Jodi's friend Sommer Nichols.
Friends, family, and even strangers huddled together for a vigil Saturday night, remembering a young life taken far too soon.
"I think it means a lot that the community came out to show their support because sometimes it feels like everybody's forgotten," said Jodi's mother Joe Carver.
Friends say one thing they'll never forget is Jodi's heartwarming personality.
"She was funny, always laughing, always smiling," said family friend Vickie Bellaire.
"She was always happy," said Nichols.
Jodi Parrack's mother found her 11-year-old daughter's body in a cemetery near their home. One year later and there are still no answers.
It's frustrating for the family.
"I just take it one day at a time. I don't even know what tomorrow is," said Carver.
It's frustrating for the community.
"It's scary. You just watch your kids closer, keep them close to you, hug them every day," said Bellaire.
And it's frustrating for police.
"It keeps me awake some nights. I was hoping it would have been solved by last Christmas," said Constantine Police Chief Mark Honeysett.
Police hope the vigil will also remind people they can still help. In the past year, investigators received more than 650 tips, but so far the majority of them haven't been credible leads.
"If there is anything, anything that we are hoping to have come from this is renewing some interest and generate some more phone calls," said Honeysett.
To help lead them to Jodi's killer, finally bringing justice to her family and the community.
"I hope they find the person who did this and he gets what he deserves from God," said Jodi's friend Brheea Grindstaff.
Jodi was last seen leaving her friend's house on a silver bike.
DNA evidence was taken from the crime scene, but so far there have been no matches.
Police continue to urge people to call them with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem.