None — ORANGE PARK, Fla. -- One year ago today, Somer Thompson was murdered and the community will remember the 7-year old with a vigil on the anniversary of her disappearance.
She was just seven years old. Her mother, Diena Thompson is still in pain. You can see it in her eyes and every time she talks about her daughter. "I can't believe I'm here. It's a year, and it still doesn't seem real.
For the first time, she's showing us the shrine to her daughter inside her home. Somer Thompson disappeared on her way home from school, October 19, 2009. It was a Monday. "Today is hard for me. It's Monday. She disappeared on a Monday," said Diena Thompson.
It's not just today she'll have to get through. "This whole week will be marred. There's something ugly every single day," said Thompson.
The community continues to rally around Diena. Every night until Somer was found, they had evening memorials outside her home. That memorial still stands, a year later, but with some new additions. Purple ribbons blow in the wind, tied to every street sign all through Somer's neighborhood. "It's wonderful to see things come together when there's so much evil and hate in the world," said Thompson.
But for this mother, all of this can't take away the pain she still feels. "I love you Somer, and I miss you with all my heart and I'm sorry," said Thompson.
Pretty much everyone in this community was affected with Somer disappeared. There are thousands expected at a vigil Tuesday night. That starts at 5 at Orange Park JR. High. Diena Thompson says they'll be singing some of Somer's favorite songs. Then at 6 the sheriff is expected to speak. They'll wrap up the vigil, by walking from the school to Somer's house with candles and her sister will sing, "You are my sunshine." That was something that happened every night while investigators searched for Somer.
Jarred Harrell is accused of killing Somer Thompson. He's pleaded not guilty and is due in court in January. He's also facing separate child pornography charges.
WJAX
