LAWRENCE, MASS. (WHDH) - A large crowd gathered in Lawrence Wednesday to honor the 16-year-old who was found decapitated on the bank of the Merrimack River last week in Lawrence.
Lee Manuel Viloria-Paulino’s decapitated body was found last Thursday. He had been reported missing Nov. 18. A 15-year-old classmate, Nathew Borges, was charged in his murder.
Loved ones lit candles that spelled out Viloria-Paulino’s name on the ground. Balloons were also released into the sky at the end of the vigil.
“I would never expect Lee to ever end up like this. And it hurts me and it hurts people who grew up with him,” said Viloria-Paulino’s friend Franchely Lopez. “You never see this. You see people getting shot, people getting stabbed, but decapitated. That’s hurtful.”
The vigil was held across the street from the police station. Organizer Linette Perez said this was intentional, as some family members feel the police did not do enough to help find him.
“This absolutely is symbolic, not necessarily for them but for us, the community. I think this community is calling out for help,” said Perez.
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