Family and Friends Hold Vigil for Nevaeh

ABC News- Family and friends came together to remember a little girl and remind everyone that her killer is still on the run.

Nearly one year ago, 5-year-old Nevaeh Buchanan disappeared. Days later, fishermen found her body on the banks of the River Raisin. Investigators say the girl was buried alive. Last night, family and friends gathered for a vigil.

Nevaeh's great aunt Diana Lawson says, "It's been tough here. It is almost May 24. It's gong to be a year. We are trying our best and we want it to be solved. We want this case done."

Around 100 people gathered last night to pray, to offer comfort to Nevaeh's family, and to take action in the hopes of find her killer.

"We're hoping to get the posters out, put them into every store and bring the memories back. Maybe something will jog somebody's memory," says Reverend Dale Hayford from Community Crosswalk Church.

Police aren't commenting on Nevaeh's case. They still have not named a suspect in the five-year-olds death. In the days after she went missing back in May last year, a person of interest surfaced but no charges were filed. Even Nevaeh's mother Jennifer faced scrutiny so much so that she didn't want to go to last night's event; but she eventually changed her mind.

Nevaeh's grandmother Sherry Buchanan says Jennifer "just wants to be left alone right now. The detectives and everybody have cleared her. It's hard for her to get out because people have ridiculed her a lot and she didn't have anything to do with this."

Despite the pain, the family is sticking together with support from the community to find Nevaeh's killer. The group handed out 5,000 award posters. They're prepared to hand out 5,000 more every week until Nevaeh's killer is found. The FBI is offering up to $20,000 for the arrest and conviction of Nevaeh's murder.
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More Deta

DETROIT -- A body discovered in the River Raisin Thursday is believed to be that of a missing 5-year-old Monroe girl.

Nevaeh Buchanan was last seen May 24 in the parking lot of an apartment complex about 35 miles south-southwest of Detroit.

Her mother, Jennifer Buchanan, told Local 4 that the Monroe County Sheriff's Department informed her late Thursday evening that they believe the body is her daughter.

Ryan Bickley, 15, told Local 4 that his father, Guy Bickley, and grandfather, Lowell Kirk, were fishing on the river near Ida Maybee Road and spotted a block of poured cement and noticed a bad smell.

At first they said they didn't think much about it. After about 2 hours, Bickley said he kicked the concrete and noticed something.

Bickley said he chipped away a piece of the cement, revealing what appeared to be human skin.

"He called me, and he was hysterical," Ryan Bickley said. "He saw flies around it and that it was starting to crack, and when he bent down the smell got really bad."

Bickley said his father quickly backed away and called police.

The discovery site is about 12 miles from the Charlotte Arms Apartment, where her mother said she was outside playing with a friend when she disappeared.

The sheriff's office will hold a 10:30 a.m. press conference Friday to reveal more details.

The community held a vigil on Thursday.

"I'm not giving up yet. I'm not giving up unless I see the body myself. I am not giving up hope yet because I still feel that she is near me," said Nevaeh's grandmother, Sherry Buchanan.

A local pastor held a small memorial service for Nevaeh bringing the crowd to prayers.

"We know Nevaeh is in heaven now. Nevaeh is in heaven with Jesus right now. Beyond a shadow of a doubt. We know there is no pain right now, no sorrow, only joy."

Friends of Nevaeh also spoke tearfully.

"My son is a total tragic mess because of this. He has missed her every single day she has been gone and now he is going to miss her for the rest of his life."

"It could happen to anybody and we hope it don't happen to anybody else," said Nevaeh's cousin, Shawn Lawson.

There have been no arrests in the case.

[Community Reacts To Body Found]

Breaking: Body Found In River Raisin- Is It Neveah?

DETROIT -- Sources told Local 4 FBI investigators have found a body while searching the River Raisin for a missing 5-year-old Monroe girl.

Investigators will not reveal if the body is that of an adult or a child, or release any other identifying factors.

Nevaeh Buchanan was last seen May 24 in the parking lot of an apartment complex about 35 miles south-southwest of Detroit.

Nevaeh is white, under 4 feet tall, weighs 45 pounds and has brown hair and brown eyes.

Investigators said acted off a tip to search the area of Ida Maybee and Dixon roads.

There have been no arrests in the case.