Special Needs Scholarship Launched, Services Planned To Honor Murdered Teen, Grace Packer

ABINGTON, PA -- Tragedy struck Abington in recent weeks when it was announced that missing teenager Grace Packer had been found dead and dismembered in the woods in Luzerne County. Packer, 15, had been missing since July. The community is now rallying around the memory of Grace and is raising funds for her funeral and a scholarship award given in her honor.

The "Abington Loves Grace Memorial Fund" will provide a scholarship to a student with special needs.

According to her friend Andrea Green-Adams, who launched the fundraiser, Packer was devoted to the special needs community.

"Everyone that knew Grace says that she was a sweet and kind young woman that had a heart for those with special needs," she wrote.

A total of $3,333 has been raised by 120 people since the fundraiser was launched.

Grace's mother, Sara Packer has been charged with Grace's murder. Sara's boyfriend Jacob Sullivan has also been charged. The pair allegedly kidnapped, raped, poisoned, and eventually strangled Grace, before dismembering her body and stashing it in the woods.

It's a horrifying ending to a six-month long tragedy that began when Grace first went missing on July 11.

Green-Adams said that donations to the fund would also be used to help create a local charity that provides a safe haven for children who encounter domestic violence.

A Facebook group, "In Memory of Grace Packer," had 741 members as of Monday afternoon.

A memorial service in Grace's honor is planned for Monday, January 16, at 1:30 p.m. in the New Life Church in Glenside. The church is located on 467 N. Easton Road.

To learn more about the memorial fund and to donate, see the GoFundMe page here.

Images via GoFundMe.