Celebrating a life lost too soon; thousands light candles for Athena Strand
WISE COUNTY (CBSDFW.COM) - A community in mourning is remembering the life of 7-year-old Athena Strand at several candlelight vigils tonight.
She was kidnapped from her front yard and killed last week, allegedly by a contract FedEx driver.
Thousands showed up at the First Baptist Church Cottondale on Dec. 6. They prayed, sang and listened to one of Athena's teachers from Paradise ISD.
As the candlelight vigil began, Athena's mom Maitlyn Gandy shared this message: "Thank you all, and please, I don't care if it's five years from now, 10 years from now, 20 years from now, remember Athena Strand."
The church has become a place of remembrance for Strand, who lived about a mile away. Community members have shown up with crosses, Christmas trees, pink teddy bears and flowers. Pink balloons, ribbons, t-shirts and more in her favorite color line the streets of Wise County.
"It affects everybody," said Paradise resident Suzanne Robinson. "She was somebody's child. She was somebody's sister."
Organizers said they hope this is a time of reflection for the community and also an opportunity to show the Strand family that they are loved and supported.
Athena's aunt, Michelle Swinney, is still in disbelief.
"It was very hard going through this mentally, and the tragedy, and I just got one question for him… what possessed him to do this to her?"
Pastor Charles Pugh said he was amazed by the community's reaction to this tragedy. Local companies donated the stage and sound system, as well as lighting to illuminate the trees in the color pink. Another company donated lighting for the parking lot, and others donated candles and porta potties.
The sheriff department also sent out officers for crowd control.
In addition to the church, there was a second vigil at the same time at Cafe Republic in Fort Worth.