A community in mourning, carrying flowers and candles, paid tribute to Jessica Cunningham on Sunday, Sept. 7, whose remains were discovered in her Maple Ridge home at the end of August.
About 10 people gathered in front of Cunningham's home at the corner of Gillis Place and Harrison Avenue, with around 15 more watching online, to remember the 43-year-old who was last seen by friends or family in June and who was the subject of an RCMP missing person investigation in August.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, IHIT, just confirmed the identity of Cunningham's remains on Monday, Sept. 8.
Cunningham's good friend, and organizer of the vigil, Krissy Rasko, led the proceedings.
"Dear friends, family, and loved ones. Tonight we gather under the gentle glow of these candles to honour the beautiful soul of Jessica Anne Cunningham. Her life was taken from us far too soon leaving an ache in our hearts," began Rasko, as she stood beside a framed photo of Cunningham with two orchids placed on either side, and bouquets of flowers and candles placed in front.
"As her close friend I stand here with you united in grief, but also in love to celebrate the radiant light that she brought to our lives. Her warmth, her laughter, her kindness, that touched us all," said Rasko, stopping to choke back tears.
Rasko quoted the bible several times as she told everyone gathered that in this moment of loss they have come together, not just to mourn Cunningham's death, but to lift each other up. That strength is found in unity.
"Tonight we are here to hold each other up – to share our tears, our stories, and our love for Jessica. Though we don't yet have all the answers about her passing, we can find solace in God's presence and in one another," she said.
Rasko noted that Cunningham had a gift for bringing people together, and she asked those gathered to pledge to support one another.
"To check in, to listen, and to love, as Jessica did," she said. "Her memory will live on in the way we care for each other and the community we build in her name," added Rasko, inviting those gathered to light their candles for a moment of silence for Cunningham – and for everyone lost through domestic violence and through unnecessary acts of violence.
Although IHIT has yet to confirm whether this was the result of intimate partner violence.
"Together we stand strong as a community to offer each other support, to offer a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves anymore. I urge you, as women, as men in our communities, please, don't be silent, the silence is what's killing us."
Rasko concluded the vigil with a prayer and then, one by one, people stepped forward and placed more candles around Cunningham's photo.
A lantern was also released into the night sky.
“It was a beautiful send off to a beautiful soul. We still wait for the truth to come to us, until then, the light has guided her and offered us some semblance of peace," said Rasko on Tuesday, Sept. 9, as she reflected on the vigil.
Rasko explained she posted the vigil online because Cunningham's family and friends are spread out from Victoria to Edmonton and were not able to attend.
"Candles lit from their homes as well in solidarity," she said.
A representative of the Battered Women’s Support Services was present, which really meant a lot, said Rasko, noting an anonymous person donated $1,000 to the agency in Cunningham's name.
Rasko also thanked Chris, the Surrey manager of Long & McQuade who also made a donation, and the immediate community for allowing everyone to grieve together.
"As this will have a lasting effect on them as well,” she said.
Mylie Barron has been charged with indignity to human remains in this case.
Barron is scheduled to be in court on Friday, Sept. 26, in Port Coquitlam. A publication ban has been ordered.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation can call the IHIT information line 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or email: [email protected].
