As more than 100 people gathered in the driveway and along the sidewalk in front of the home where a pregnant mother and her two daughters were killed, it was as if the horror of the deaths had paralyzed the mourners.
Shortly after asking people to gather, Kelley Trippy, the woman who organized a Friday night candlelight vigil, said, “This is to celebrate, mourn and get closure for a family that didn’t deserve this. This is a horrible, horrible, horrible story. It’s affected all of us whether you do know them or don’t know them.”
Friends, neighbors and those who felt compelled to grieve the loss of life stood in a semi-circle, battling a stiff wind to light candles during the vigil outside the Frederick home where Shanann Watts, her unborn son, and daughters, Bella and CeCe, were killed earlier this week.
After Trippy spoke, people huddled with loved ones and whispered, unsure of what to do next. Eventually, a man prayed aloud. Then someone played “Amazing Grace” from a cellphone, and that led the crowd to join in song.
— Noelle Phillips (@Noelle_Phillips) August 18, 2018
After 30 minutes or so, a neighbor holding a cellphone told the 150 or so gathered that he was streaming a video of the vigil for Shanann’s family. “We are so sorry,” a woman shouted. “Sorry for your loss,” shouted another.
Shanann’s mother said via the video, “God bless all of you. Thank you so much.”
Shanann’s mother said she was leaning on her faith to withhold anger and that she took comfort knowing her children were with God. “I’m at peace,” she said. “I know they are with our Lord Jesus Christ.”
When someone at the vigil shouted that everyone wished Shanann’s family was there with them, the mother answered, “I couldn’t handle it.”
Mary Ann Bogner, who lives in the neighborhood, decorated the Watts home with candles, including tea lights in the formation of a cross. “They needed a stairway to heaven,” Bogner said.
Debbie VanDyke worked with Shanann in the pediatric call center at Children’s Hospital in Aurora where they answered phone calls from parents with sick children. Shanann frequently addressed people as “love.”
“How are you doing today, love?” VanDyke said. “It was comforting to parents, doctors, co-workers, everyone. She was a big light in everybody’s life.”
Mary Ann Bogner, who lives in the neighborhood, made this candle arrangement on the Watts' steps. "They needed a stairway to heaven." pic.twitter.com/QYVhfJG2g4
— Elizabeth Hernandez (@ehernandez) August 18, 2018
All afternoon, people placed teddy bears, stuffed elephants, flowers and handwritten notes in a growing memorial in front of the family home. Many did not know the Watts family but felt compelled to pay respects.
Jennifer Seiler and her daughter, Taylor Seiler, drove from a nearby neighborhood to pay respects even though they never met Shanann or her daughters.
“Kids are not disposable,” Jennifer Seiler said. “How is this happening? I don’t understand it.”
Jennifer Martin, who lives in the community but did not know the Watts family, led a prayer. “Lord, help us get through this.”
The tragedy really struck people, she said.
For many, the vigil was the first step toward healing.
“What a beautiful tribute,” Bogner said looking toward the crowd of neighbors and families holding candles. “This is Colorado.”
