HOPKINTON, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Close to a thousand gathered in Hopkinton Thursday afternoon for a vigil and rally for Mikayla Miller
The 16-year-old was found dead in the morning of April 18.
On Wednesday, Attorney General Maura Healey wrote, "My heart breaks for Mikayla Miller's family. Young, LGBTQ girls of color deserve all our love, support, and protection. Nothing will bring her back, but I hope a thorough investigation into the circumstances of her death can bring some peace to her family and community."
Also, Hopkinton Superintendent of Schools Carol Cavanaugh informed families on Wednesday the school district would have an early dismissal for students Thursday due to an “increased police presence."
Violence in Boston’s Monica Cannon-Grant and former Boston City Councilor Tito Jackson led Miller's vigil.
In a flyer for the event, Violence In Boston said attendees will join together for a candle light vigil and a “rally to demand answers from District Attorney Marian Ryan.”
“On April 17th, 2021 the life of 16 year old Mikayla Miller was tragically taken from us,” the flyer reads. “The circumstances around her death and disappearance still remain a mystery.”
Massachusetts Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley has demanded for an independent investigation into the cause of Miller's death.
On Tuesday, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan came forward with new information, stating that the medical examiner's report is not finished.
The press conference came amid social media criticism that the DA's Office was ignoring Mikayla Miller's death by not investigating the circumstances as suspicious, with many claiming that the teen was murdered and the District Attorney was covering it up, including a statement attributed to Miller's mother.
District Attorney Ryan said in a press conference, “From the beginning of this investigation, our investigators have been fully committed to determining exactly how Mikayla’s promising life ended. Mikayla’s death is an unspeakable tragedy for her loved ones and the entire community."
“We know that is difficult and we are working on getting answers, but we must get there in a way that does not compromise the integrity of this investigation.”
WBZ NewsRadio's Karyn Regal (@KarynRegal) reports:
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Written by Edyn Jensen
(Photo: WBZ NewsRadio's Karyn Regal)