Community Corner
Vigil Held For Girl Killed By Father In Manayunk Murder-Suicide
The community gathered Tuesday to support the family and friends of a 7-year-old girl who was the victim of a murder-suicide in Manayunk.
The community gathered Tuesday to support the family and friends of a 7-year-old girl who was killed by her father in a murder-suicide over the weekend in Manayunk. Between 100 to 200 people came together for the candlelight vigil outside of Edgewood Elementary School in Lower Makefield, Bucks County to remember Kayden Mancuso, described by loved ones as a "vibrant, outgoing, loving child."
Matthew Moffett, described in various media reports as Kayden's godfather, shared a message about the vigil on behalf of the family.
"Kayden was our world, help us in being one more candle so that as the light shines up to heaven our sweet little angel who was taken too soon can see how much we love her ALWAYS. We do not heal in isolation, but in community."
Find out what's happening in Roxborough-Manayunkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The message goes on to say the purpose of the event was to "encourage, lift, support, love, and strengthen one another."
Vigil for Kayden Mancuso at Edgewood Elementary School here in Bucks County. Lots of tears and support from the community. pic.twitter.com/5eL5G8RljQ
— Meghan Bobrowsky (@BobrowskyMeghan) August 8, 2018
100+ attend candlelight vigil at Edgewood Elementary School in Bucks County for 7y/o Kayden Mancuso, killed at the hands of her father Full Story @CBSPhilly at 11 pic.twitter.com/S83Pt3OfDY
— Chantee Lans CBS 3 (@ChanteeLans) August 8, 2018
Crowd commemorates Kayden Mancuso at Lower Makefield vigil https://t.co/Q6YptybHYR
— Danielle Camilli (@BCTdanielle) August 8, 2018
According to an online fundraiser created by the family to collect money for funeral expenses, there were many warning signs along the way that should have prevented the girl from being in her father's care. Her mother had fought "for years" to get sole custody of the girl, and was involved in a prolonged custody battle with Kayden's father, her aunt told Action News.
Find out what's happening in Roxborough-Manayunkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
RELATED: 'Violent' Dad Killed Bucks Co. Girl Amid Custody Battle: Family
The family said the girl was dropped off at her father's house along the 4500 block of Wilde Street on Saturday. She was supposed to return home the next day. But when she didn't arrive, her mother became concerned and shared a photo of her daughter on social media in an attempt to locate her.
The girl was found deceased at the home of her biological father by her stepfather and grandfather. Her father, identified as Jeff Mancuso, was also found deceased.
A fundraising page established to raise money for funeral expenses has exceeded its goal of $25,000. You can see the GoFundMe page here.
Story by Kara Seymour
Image via GoFundMe, a Patch promotional partner
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