Family And Friends Remember Slain Lawrenceville Mother

Friday evening, family, friends and supporters gathered to honor a Lawrenceville mother found dead a week ago.

A memorial for Nique Leili will be held Saturday at 11 am at Athens First United Methodist Church.

The night before that memorial, dozens turned out for a candlelight vigil at the same spot she was found dead in the Oak Village subdivision, not far from her home. Family members and co-workers tearfully recalled memories of the 44 year-old mother. Each person was given a rose to lay at a makeshift memorial, bearing a cross and pictures of the mother and her three children.

The family requested she be remembered by her maiden name, Nique Chatham. , under a pile of leaves in a wooded area near the home she shared with her husband of 13 years, Matt Leili, and the couple's two daughters.

At the vigil, family members were given bookmarks with Chatham's obituary, which stated she died on July 9th, the day she disappeared. Matt Leili reported his wife missing two days later, on July 11th. Right now  in the woman's death. No charges have been filed, and investigators have not said how she died.

Alex Page, Chatham's eldest daughter from a previous marriage, represented all three children at the vigil. The youngest daughters, ages 12 and 9, were not allowed to attend. “We tried to contact them multiple times," said Chatham's sister, Amy Elk, "My ex-husband even went and knocked on the door and tried to ask if they could come. We have not been allowed to have any contact with them at all."

Page, 19, remembered her mother as a strong woman who always had an answer for everything, “To learn to accept that my mother will not see me graduate college, or hold my wedding dress up as I prepare to walk down the isle is one of the hardest concepts to face," said Page.

Right now, there is a legal battle over Chatham's remains. Tuesday, a Gwinnett County Probate Judge will determine whether Matt Leili or Alex Page will be allowed to take possession of the woman's remains and dictate her funeral.

Family and friends describe Matt and Nique's relationship as rocky and hint at a history of abuse. The family is asking for donations to be made in the woman's name to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Family members say they are thankful for all of the support from the community, "It's amazing, so many people I’ve never even met and people that knew my sister are here," said Elk. "It's just amazing that people would care so much."

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