Community gathers for candlelight vigil in honor of 12-year-old girl

ELKHART, Ind. -- A sky as bright as Rio Allred’s smile as hundreds of community members gather Wednesday night for a candlelight vigil to honor the 12-year-old girl.

“Rio loved people. She loved life. She loved to laugh. She loved to read. She loved Harry Potter. Wouldn’t be unlike her to get lost in a book,” said Matt Cooper, Rio’s Great Uncle.

Hoping to tell Rio’s story the way she would, friends and family wrote down memories of their favorite moments.

“The giggling I mean her giggle her smile would light up a room,” said Cooper.

It’s a smile no one will be able to forget.

One they hope was seen up above today as they raised their candles and released sky lanterns - together as a community alongside Rio’s family.

“I could actually see you know I felt the smiles on my family tonight I mean that said it all,” said Cooper.

This was understandably a difficult night for Rio’s family, but they say they hope others can learn from this tragedy and educate their own children on the sometimes-tragic effects of bullying.