Parents Say Good Bye

The mom and dad of a young architect killed over her purse were in Philly Saturday.

Family and friends of Amber Long were reminded of the life the 26-year-old architect will never experience as they packed up her South Philadelphia apartment Saturday.

"She just isn't there anymore... and never will be again," said Stephanie Long, who was with her daughter when a mugger shot her to death. "I can't even think about how the holidays are gonna be, even Mother's Day."

Stephanie drove from Harrisburg and Amber's father, Troy, traveled from Pittsburgh to empty out the second-floor walk-up on Ritner Street their daughter had called home for the past three years.

About 20 people pitched in to help the mourning parents clear out the space that reminded all of them of their loss.

"It represents Amber very well," Troy said. "Because that's how much she was loved by everbody."

Amber was killed as she walked along the 900 block of Front Street in the city's Northern Liberties neighborhood with her mother on Jan. 19.

The young woman and her mother were returning to their car when two men ambushed them to steal their purses.

Surveillance video shows one of the suspects shot Amber when she hesitated to give up her purse.

Police rushed her to Hahnemann Hospital, where she died about 45 minutes later.

"I don't forgive him," Stephanie said. "I can't, I can't."

As the last of Amber's belongings were loaded into a UHAUL truck, Stephanie read a letter her daughter had given her many years ago.

"Thanks for giving me life and love. That love will stay with me as long as I live," Stephanie read through her tears. "Years from now the letter may be long gone. However the memories will last forever."

Investigators are still searching for the two men responsible and ask anyone with information to call the Philadelphia Police tipline at 215-686-TIPS.

A reward for information leading to an arrest has suprassed $30,000.

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