Friends hold vigil for teen; family awaits autopsy
Friends of 16-year-old Makayla Chang are holding a vigil on Saturday for the girl, who is believed to be dead.
The vigil is set for 3 p.m. in Muffeo Sutton Park in Nanaimo.
“Me and my close friends wanted to do something for her,” said organizer April Schneider.
Makayla had been missing for two months when Nanaimo RCMP announced last week that they had found a body that they believe is Makayla. Police are investigating the death as a homicide.
Schneider called herself the “Mama Bear” of a group of young people who regularly spent time with Makayla at the Tim Hortons on Wallace Drive. She also babysat Makayla when she was younger. “I love Kayla to pieces,” she said. Schneider said the loss has shaken the group.
“I still think she’s here, but I know she’s gone. … Every night I’m waking up in the middle of the night, hoping I can see her.”
She said the ceremony is open to the public and visitors are invited to bring flowers, candles and snacks.
Tina Chang, Makayla’s aunt on her father’s side, said the Chang family supports the vigil.
“We love anything that anyone would like to do in Makayla’s memory,” she said in an email.
Tina said the Chang family is waiting for results from the autopsy before making decisions about a burial, flowers or donations in Makayla’s memory.
A family friend on the mother’s side had asked for donations to a food bank in lieu of flowers.
“We are all grieving and angry, as are all that knew Makayla,” Tina said.
She said RCMP had asked Makayla’s grandmother Dolly, who raised her, not to make any public statements, saying it could hinder the investigation.
Nanaimo RCMP has not made any comment on the investigation, beyond a statement released May 18. Police have not said where the body was found, when it was found, or under what circumstances.
They have not said if there are any suspects in the case or if any arrests have been made.
The B.C. Coroners Service did not respond to a request for information about when the autopsy will take place or how long it would take.