vigil

Under the dim glow of streetlights on Munnings Drive, grief hung heavy in the air as friends and family gathered to celebrate what should have been Lauren Saunders’ 31st birthday. Instead of birthday cake and candles, they held a vigil while hugging one another, clutching pink and purple balloons, and weeping for the pregnant mother whose death shook the nation.

It has been nearly four weeks since the desperate search for the 30-year-old ended in heartbreak. In the early morning hours of October 22, police made the grim discovery. Lauren’s decomposed body was lying in bushes off Munnings Drive, the same area her phone last pinged after she vanished.

Lauren, a mother of two, had been missing since the Sunday before, after meeting with a man believed to be the father of her unborn child. Her car turned up abandoned near Coral Harbour, a flat tire, her whereabouts unknown. Her family called out her name, marching through bushes, pleading for her safe return as volunteers and police scoured western New Providence.

Instead, their greatest fear was realized. Officers confirmed that Lauren’s body bore gunshot wounds.

At the vigil, the sorrow was overwhelming. Some sobbed quietly. Others doubled over in anguish wailing.

A 31-year-old man was formally charged in the Magistrate’s Court with one count of murder.

Wednesday night, as balloons floated into the sky, one thing was clear, Saunders was loved.

Her death has become a national cry for justice.

It was a somber evening as scores of family and friends, along with the community of Miami Street gathered on Wednesday night in a candlelight vigil at the scene where Heavenly Turveus was killed.

Four days after her death, a memorial of lit candles and balloons honored the life of the young mother taken so soon.

Pastor Franklyn Lighbourne  of Revival Faith Mission Church said Terveus was a former member of the church’s dance team.

“As she got older, she became distant rom the church and as a result when it was time to get into a relationship, she left off the counsel and advice from the church.”

Fenton Ferguson killed Turveus in the bedroom of her mother’s home, where family members discovered her lifeless body. Ferguson who shot himself during the ordeal, later died in hospital. The couple’s one month old boy was not harmed.

In a moment of silence, cries echoed the night skies as mourners including Englerston Member of Parliament Glenys  Hanna-Martin expressed sadness over the tragedy.

“It’s a feeling of great sadness…When you lose something through violence, it’s different from a normal death.”

“…I would like to know what is it that’s happening with us that we are seeing this type of violent chaos, particularly affecting our young men.”

Hanna-Martin said she will continue to offer her support to the family.

If you or anyone you know is involved in domestic abuse, call the 24-hour hotline at the Crisis Center 328-0922.