Locals Honor Life Of Slain Boy

By Patch Contributor Daniel Lane

Candlelight flickered on somber faces Friday evening at a vigil for 11-year-old Terry “JuJu” Smith. 

The vigil was held at Menifee’s Wheatfield Park and got underway around 8 p.m.

Stacy Guzman, event organizer said that she wanted to help the community come together to pay its respects to Terry.

“I wanted to do it at a park...so more people could come together,” Guzman said. “I want people to come together to honor his memory.”

Terry—reported as having autism—was last seen at around 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 6, according to law enforcement. After an extensive four-day search, human remains were found early Wednesday morning at the family’s Helen Lane home in Menifee.

Officials have yet to confirm whether the remains found were that of Terry Smith, but the Menifee police Chief John Hill said, “they fit the description.”

As a light breeze wafted through the air, hundreds of balloons were released into the sky in memory of Terry as the sun set in the background.

Andrea Fleek, 37 of Menifee, was joined by her daughter during the vigil. 

“You never think that it’s going to hit so close to home,” Fleek said, choking back tears. “I pray for the family.”

During the vigil, attendees wrote messages to Terry on poster board as a few prayers were said.

Live music was also played.

Jaden Handzlik, 16, of Murrieta has a friend whose brother is autistic and she felt compelled to pay her respects to Terry.

Terry's 16-year-old half-brother, Skylor Atilano, was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of murder after all members of the household were interrogated.

Skylor was formally charged in the case Friday.

“It really broke my heart,” Handzlik said. “It kinda hit home from me when I heard the story.

“Just knowing that he was found in the backyard is just devastating.”

Many people came together this week to search for a boy who most of them never knew.

“I would really like to thank the community for coming together and everyone involved,” Guzman said.

More coverage on the Terry Smith case:

• Teen Charged With Killing Little Brother; Father Speaks Out

• Positive Identification On Boy's Remains Still Pending

• Woman’s ‘Intuition’ Helps Find Missing Boy’s Body
• Community Mourns Menifee Boy's Killing While Awaiting Coroner's Confirmation
• Search Ends For Missing Menifee Boy, But Community's United Effort Not In Vain

• Have You Seen This Boy? He is at Risk
• Missing Autistic Boy in Menifee
  
• Police Still Searching For Missing Autistic Boy
• Hundreds of Volunteers Fan Out in Search for Missing Autistic Boy in Menifee
• 'Find Terry Smith' Facebook Page Established, Volunteers Continue Search For Missing Boy
• Still No Sign Of Missing Autistic Boy, Search Continues
• Search For Missing Autistic Boy Intensifies
• Volunteers, Authorities Searching Through the Night for Missing Menifee Boy
• VIDEO: No Leads In Case Of Missing Autistic Boy, Police Chief Says
• UPDATED: Police Uncover Possible Human Remains At Missing Autistic Boy's Home
• Teen Suspected Of Killing His Little Autistic Brother