LAUREL — Several dozen people gathered at Riverside Park in Laurel on Sunday night to light a candle and honor Lori Bray. She was killed after leaving work in Laurel in the early hours of October 1.
Family and friends shared memories and reflected on their time with Bray.
Bray was described by people at the vigil as a kind, loving woman who would do anything to help her friends.
Chasiti Salvenson was next door neighbors with Bray for three years.
"I've come to learn that everybody in this community knew her and loved her," Salvenson said. "She was the greatest person. She would give her shirt off her back so that she would freeze. That's just the type of person she was."
One person brought a sign that stated, "Lori is loved her life mattered." Others wore purple t-shirts with the message "we will always love you" written on them.
"The Laurel community, I've learned since this has happened, is a very tight-knit community," Salvenson said. "Everybody is just coming together to light a candle in her honor and her memory."
Coming up on Saturday, a memorial fundraiser will be held for Bray at Fat Fencer Freddy's bar in Laurel. All the money raised will go toward funeral costs and care for Bray's two dogs. There will be a spaghetti dinner with a charge of $4 per child and $8 per adult. The benefit is kid-friendly and will have face painting, pumpkin painting, and other activities for kids to enjoy.
If you would like to donate, but can not make the fund raiser, contact Tanna Dailey or Jessie Ellison on Facebook for more details.
You can also donate to a GoFundMe account that was created by a friend.
Diego Hernandez has been charged with deliberate homicide for Bray's death; click here for more information.
