By Sarah Mills

Purple balloons released at vigil for murdered Regina teen

Jan 20, 2015 | 6:17 AM

Under the flicker of candles, wearing t-shirts with her name and picture, family and friends came together to remember Hannah Leflar.

The 16-year-old was found murdered a week ago. Two 16-year-old boys have been charged in connection with her death.

The group gathered for the vigil started with a brief prayer and then traveled in her footsteps, taking the four-block journey Leflar would normally take to school.

The silhouette of the 200 friends and family was broken only by the snowy mist and the shadow of snow-covered trees. The silence was shattered by tears. Footsteps could be seen left in the snow. 

But despite the solemn nature of the gathering friends like Tionna Ackerman wanted only to remember the good.

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“She was always smiling. She was just an overall caring girl, no matter what kind of mood she was in. If you were upset or dealing with something, she’d drop anything and be there for you,” said Ackerman.

Her family, including Leflar’s grief-stricken parents, watched as purple heart balloons were released into the sky. Purple was Leflar’s favourite colour. Her mom stopped briefly to say thank you before the sobs overcame her.

With permission from her family, News Talk Radio can now share her name. Previously the Youth Criminal Justice prevented that.

The two teen boys have already made a first court appearance and return before a judge on Wednesday. They can not be identified publicly under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

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