The Temple University community gathered by the dozens Thursday to remember a student murdered after she spent a night out at a bar popular with students.
The Temple Student Government and the Progressive NAACP planned the vigil for Jenna Burleigh at Founder's Garden just off Broad Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue. The event featured open mic time as well as a space for students to write letters to the Burleigh family.
"I'm a parent. I can think of nothing more tragic that losing a child, especially in such a tragic way." President of Temple University Richard Englert said.
Mourners held red flowers during the somber vigil remembering Burleigh, a transfer student from Montgomery County.
The 22-year-old Temple University film major -- who had just transferred to Temple this semester -- was killed early on Aug. 31 after leaving a bar with Josh Hupperterz. Hupperterz, a former Temple student, is accused of killing Burleigh in his apartment near campus then leaving her body in a bin in a shed at his grandmother's home in Wayne County, Pennsylvania.
Hupperterz is charged with murder and related offenses in Burleigh's killing. He is being held in a Philadelphia jail and has not yet entered a plea in the case. His attorney couldn't immediately be reached for comment.
Investigators are still working on determining a motive in the killing.
Thursday's vigil comes just before Burleigh's family holds a viewing in Telford, Pennsylvania. Burleigh will be laid to rest following a funeral Mass Friday morning in Hatfield, Pennsylvania.
