DETROIT (WWJ) - A community gathered Thursday night to mourn the death of 2-year-old Wynter Cole Smith whose body was discovered on the city's east side on Wednesday night.
Ahead of a vigil planned by the family on Friday night, hundreds gathered near the site where the toddler was found, at Erwin and Olympia.
Wynter's cousin, Lasondia Brown, was among those to speak at Thursday's vigil. She thanked the crowd for their love, condolences, hugs and prayers.
"We’re sorry that it took such a tragedy to bring all of us together – such an ignorant tragedy. An innocent life taken away too soon, and it’s painful," she said. "We ask that you continue to keep this mother, this father, this grandmother, this grandfather, everyone in this family lifted up in prayer."
Smith's family, who had been holding out hope of finding her safe, expressed their grief through a statement on Thursday and plan to hold their own vigil in the same area on Friday at 6 p.m.
"We are heartbroken over the loss of our beautiful daughter, granddaughter, cousins, niece and big sister, Wynter Cole Smith. Wynter’s brief but bright life was taken from her unnecessarily; and we will grieve her death forever," their statement reads.
"We wish to thank the FBI, all law enforcement, all the volunteers, and the Dock Ellis Foundation for their assistance, compassion and professionalism.
In remembering Wynter, we believe that is necessary to help make sure that this kind of tragedy never again touches any other family. Anywhere. We ask the State Legislature and Governor Whitmer to consider legislation that further ensures that multiple violent offenders remain in jail or prison as they are tragically a threat to all of us," the family concluded.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe account has been set up, seeking to raise $10,000 to help the child's family. A message on the page reads: "For Symari and Wynter. My sis lost her beautiful daughter to the act of violence. Anything will be greatly appreciated as we deal with this difficult time. Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we try to push through this difficult time. And if you can find it in your heart to help relieve any financial difficulty."
Smith had been missing since late Sunday night when she was allegedly kidnapped by her mother's ex-boyfriend, 26-year-old Rashad Trice. An amber alert was issued early Monday morning.
After three days of all-out efforts to find the 2-year-old Lansing girl, the community is devastated to learn of her timely death.
"I think that we need to look out for each other more," neighbor Demetrius Anderson, who lives near the overgrown field where the girl's body was found, told WWJ's Charlie Langton. "We have to catch the signs of people who are afflicting these harms on us. I mean, the signs are there. We just need to look at it."
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At this time, police said it is unclear how the 2-year-old girl was killed.
Trice was arraigned Wednesday on a long list of charges for allegedly attacking the mother at her home in Lansing.
He was not charged in the disappearance of the girl, though additional charges may soon be filed.
The investigation into Wynter's death is still ongoing. FBI Special Agent in Charge Devin Kowalski said at a press conference in Detroit Wednesday night said the evidence response team was processing the scene.
"This will be a thorough and deliberate crime scene investigation," Kowalski said. "It will take time to carefully collect evidence that we need to help bring the person responsible to justice."
He said further information about the investigation could not be released. The Wayne County Medical Examiner's office was expected to conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death of the young girl on Thursday.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned to WWJ Newsradio 950 for the latest details as they become available.
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