CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Friends, family and strangers attended a funeral service Saturday for Alianna DeFreeze, a 14-year-old girl kidnapped, killed and left in an abandoned home on Cleveland's East Side.
Imani Temple Ministries on North Taylor Road was packed during the wake held at noon. Many in attendance stepped to the front of the church to give their condolences to members of Alianna's family. Flowers flanked her casket.
Many wore purple because it was Alianna's favorite color. She also enjoyed Frozen, Finding Nemo, Glitz dolls and other "girly things," her obituary said.
"She's in safe hands, she's in safe hands in the hands of Jesus," Bishop Mark Perry said during her funeral service. "She's safe in the arms of Jesus."
The family immediately left the church after the service for the private internment.
Edward McDonald grew up with Alianna's father Damon DeFreeze and was the youngest of their group of friends.
"They're a very loving and straight forward family," he said. "Damon was so close to his girls."
Alianna's death hit home for McDonald because he has children of his own.
It was heart-wrenching for Tracy Thomas to hear that Damon DeFreeze's daughter was killed. He also grew up with Alianna's father.
"I have a 9-year-old and a 12-year-old," he said. "I'm an overprotective dad and this is why."
Christopher Whitaker, 44, faces an aggravated murder charge in Alianna's death. The registered sex offender was taken into custody Feb. 2 after police said that his DNA matched forensic evidence from the crime scene.
Investigators believe he snatched Alianna Jan. 26 somewhere near an RTA bus stop at East 93rd Street and Kinsman Avenue about a mile away from E Prep & Village Prep Woodland Hills where she attended classes.
Her body was discovered three days later inside an abandoned house on Fuller Avenue several blocks south of the bus stop.
Whitaker is jailed on $3 million bond and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Feb. 14.
Thomas added that the entire community should take Alianna's death as an opportunity to stand up against violence against children and a need to take control of the streets. He added that he is thankful police arrested Whitaker.
Denise Serena doesn't personally know the DeFreeze family, but she felt that it was appropriate to come to the wake and service to pay her respects.
"(Alianna's death) was very concerning," she said. "I really wanted to lend my support."
Serena went to every march, rally and vigil for Alianna.
Alianna's family turned to the Cleveland organization Peace In the Hood which held many of the services in her honor after her disappearance, Laura Cowan, a member of the group said.
"I had a bad feeling when they found the body (before discovered it was Alianna)," she said. "They're distraught, they can't believe this happened."
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