Hundreds gathered Friday night in Dorchester to mourn the loss of a 23-year-old Massachusetts mother who was kidnapped and killed following an outing for her birthday at a nightclub.
Governor Charlie Baker was among those to attend Jassy Correia's wake, which was held from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at St. Peter's Church.
Raw emotions poured out as loved ones left the church, but Correia's death has been felt across the Commonwealth.
"We feel bad about it and everything that happened to her," said Fa-Ti Fernandez, who works at Margaritas where Correia had been getting her hair done for 10 years. "It's not fair."
What happened to Correia is now serving as a cautionary tale for others her age.
"It's scary and I feel like everyone should take a lesson out of this," one woman said at the wake. "Every parent should embrace their children a little bit closer today."
"She didn't get to enjoy her life," another woman said. "It was cut so short."
Mourners also gathered outside the St. Peter's Church on Thursday to pay their respects to Correia during a vigil for her. The vigil was attended by more than 100 people that included family, friends, community members, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and Police Commissioner William Gross.
She was remembered as a woman who was in the prime of her life and taken far too soon.
Correia's body was found inside the trunk of her suspected killer's car in Delaware on Feb. 28. Louis Coleman, 32, of Providence, Rhode Island, was arrested in connection to her death. He has been charged with kidnapping, resulting in death.
Court documents revealed the young mother died of blunt force trauma and strangulation.
Correia's death has inspired city leaders to reflect on how clubs and bars are ensuring the safety of patrons.
Her funeral will be held 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Peter's Church.
