Friends and family of a 14-year-old girl who police say was killed last month went to City Hall today to acknowledge councilors' sympathy and express their hopes for the investigation.
Yashanee Vaughn was reported missing March 21, but Portland officers say she died two days earlier. Parrish Bennette, 16, is being held on a charge of manslaughter in the case.
Vaughn's body hasn't been found and investigators haven't said how she died.
“Yashanee was a sweet, effervescent, bubbly, outgoing young woman with a fun sense of humor," City Commissioner Dan Saltzman told the council.
In keeping with a city ordinance, Portland's flag was lowered to half staff. The gesture for Vaughn is the sixth time in two years that the council has acknowledged the death of a child from abuse, neglect or homicidal violence.
The council also held a moment of silence.
"It was just nice to hear positive things about my niece. He described her the way we all know her," says Shawnta Hayes, Vaughn's aunt.
Portland police say the investigation into Vaughn's death continues without the visibility of the large-scale search conducted at Rocky Butte Park last weekend.
Bennette remains in custody in the juvenile lockup, although he is being charged as an adult.
A Multnomah County grand jury has been hearing from witnesses this week, so additional charges could be brought against Bennette.
