Published: Wednesday, November 03, 2010, 8:28 PM ??? Updated: Wednesday, November 03, 2010, 11:10 PM
Under a drizzling rain Wednesday night, friends and family of three people stabbed to death Friday placed teddy bears and balloons outside the family's Kingston apartment.
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A piece of yellow crime scene tape still hung from the door frame as a crowd of at least 70 people gathered for a candlelight vigil in honor of Aaliyah Budgess, 12, her aunt Bernice Kelly, 59, and Kelly's son, Quortes Kelly, 33.
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The victims, found inside the burning first floor apartment, were remembered as a loving family.
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"My sister was the best sister you could ever have," Bernice's sister, Betty Cole, said. "My nephew and niece, you couldn't ask for better kids. They?didn't get in trouble, they didn't bother anybody."
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Tyra Dunlap said her friend Aaliyah died on Dunlap's 13th birthday.
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"My friend didn't have a chance to tell me happy birthday," Dunlap said as tears streamed down her cheeks. "I can't sleep, I can't eat. I just want her back."
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The young friends of Aaliyah, a seventh-grader at the Alabama Waldorf School in Crestwood, have been shaken by the child's death.
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"At first, my daughter was afraid to go to sleep in her own room," Dennis Wright said of his daughter, 13-year-old Amber Wright.
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Police have arrested an 18-year-old relative in the case, but as of Wednesday no charges have been filed. He remains in custody at the Jefferson County Jail.
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Cole said family members would not discuss the deaths, saying the case was still under investigation.
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"All I can say is we lost three family members. We gotta bury three people," Cole said.
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The funeral is set for Saturday at 11 a.m. at New Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church at 7400 London Ave. S., Cole said.
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The family has relied on each other for strength, Cole said. "We're trying to love on each other and be there for each other. It's a traumatic thing. It's just been unbearable," Cole said.
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Neighbors arranged Wednesday's vigil and asked the family to attend, Cole said.
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"We couldn't turn them down, because people don't have to take time out of their busy schedule to show love for you."
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Cole said they also attended to remind people how important it is to let their families know they are loved.
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"We want people to understand how important it is to love your family. Be there for your family," Cole said.
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