LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The family of kidnapped and murdered two-year-old Wynter Smith will honor her memory with a vigil on Friday, and released a statement to the public.

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The family plans to hold the vigil in Wynter’s memory on Friday at 6 p.m. at Knodel and Erwin Streets in Detroit. That intersection is located near the First Church of the Redeemed at 9360 Van Dyke.

In addition, the family released this statement:

“We are heartbroken over the loss of our beautiful daughter, granddaughter, cousin, 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. 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 it is necessary to help make sure that this kind of tragedy never again touches any other family. Anywhere. We asked the state legislature and Gov. (Gretchen) 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.”

Police found Wynter dead in an alley on Detroit’s east side on Wednesday night around 7:00 p.m. Her mother’s ex-boyfriend, 26-year-old Rashad Trice, allegedly kidnapped Wynter on Sunday, July 2 after stabbing the girl’s mother several times. He faces eight charges stemming from the kidnapping and stabbing.

Law enforcement is still investigating and no one has been charged in Wynter’s murder.