Friends, Strangers Offer Prayers For Shakira And Family
Community Awaits Coroner's Ruling On Body's Identification
POSTED: 5:51 p.m. EDT October 17, 2003
UPDATED: 6:08 p.m. EDT October 17, 2003
CLEVELAND -- A makeshift memorial has sprung up at E. 71st and Aetna, at the scene of where a body of a child was found Wednesday morning.
The body has not been positively identified yet, but the Cuyahoga County coroner said that all signs are pointing toward it being the body of 11-year-old Shakira Johnson, who disappeared more than a month ago.
A steady stream of people, both friends and strangers, has been arriving at the site throughout the day Friday, to pay their respects and offer their prayers for the girl and her family.
The memorial is scattered with items such as candles, posters, poems, balloons, stuffed animals and a Bible.
"My heart goes out to the family, and whoever did this will not prosper," said Joanne Calloway, of Cleveland.
Friends have also been gathering at the home of Shakira's family to offer their support and prayers.
Police continue to question various people in possible connection with Shakira's disappearance, and believe that the person who possibly took her life was familiar with the neighborhood.
It could be five to six days before DNA test results can confirm the identity of the body.
A fund has been established for Shakira's family, and donations can be made at any Key Bank location.
A prayer service is scheduled to take place at 6 p.m. Sunday where the body was found.
The body has not been positively identified yet, but the Cuyahoga County coroner said that all signs are pointing toward it being the body of 11-year-old Shakira Johnson, who disappeared more than a month ago.
A steady stream of people, both friends and strangers, has been arriving at the site throughout the day Friday, to pay their respects and offer their prayers for the girl and her family.
The memorial is scattered with items such as candles, posters, poems, balloons, stuffed animals and a Bible.
"My heart goes out to the family, and whoever did this will not prosper," said Joanne Calloway, of Cleveland.
Friends have also been gathering at the home of Shakira's family to offer their support and prayers.
Police continue to question various people in possible connection with Shakira's disappearance, and believe that the person who possibly took her life was familiar with the neighborhood.
It could be five to six days before DNA test results can confirm the identity of the body.
A fund has been established for Shakira's family, and donations can be made at any Key Bank location.
A prayer service is scheduled to take place at 6 p.m. Sunday where the body was found.
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