Vigil held for 21-year-old mom shot and killed in Penticton, B.C.

Candles lit up the night sky, as dozens of people walked together to remember Alexa Knodel, a 21-year old woman who was shot and killed in Penticton in June.   

The vigil was held Saturday, on what would have been the young mother's 22nd Birthday.

“There is no family, that ever, ever thinks, that they will lose someone so young," said Barb Park, one of Kndoel's grandmothers.

"She has a young son. So her life in many ways was just beginning for her."

Knodel was killed at her apartment along Lakeshore Drive on June 7. The case is being investigated as a homicide. RCMP say the investigation is ongoing but so far no charges have been laid.

“The Penticton RCMP Investigative Services is preparing the case for charge assessment.  Updates will follow when appropriate,” the force said in an emailed statement.

Not an easy wait

Loved ones say the seven months, along with a lack of closure and justice, has been hard.

“We want to see it happen swiftly but at the same time we know that it is a process and it takes time but it doesn’t make it any easier,” said Ozwald Norris, Alexa’s cousin.

Knodel’s son was just a year old when she was killed. Norris said her son was everything to her, and those closest to her are doing what they can to help.

“We are very upset and devastated that Alexa won’t be there during his growth and his life but we do know that we want to honour Alexa and make sure that her son knew how much Alexa loved him,” Norris said.

The 21-year -old is being remembered for her positive spirit and kind heart.

“She was generous, she was altruistic, she embraced life, she was always smiling I don’t think I have ever seen her not smiling and enjoying life,” said Monica Metzler, Knodel’s Grandmother.

“She was an amazing mother, she was an amazing sister. She has two young sisters out in Langley, and a stepmom who absolutely wish they could have been here,” added Park.

Faith George, who attended the vigil, first met Knodel in Kindergarten at Queen’s Park Elementary. They were close friends for 17 years.

“She was my person. I went to her for everything and I knew that there was no judgement. She was the one person in this world I knew I could fully trust,” she said.

George was in Vancouver on a shopping trip when she found out over the phone that Alexa was killed.

“I just remember falling to the ground, and crying,” she said.

Aside from being a beloved friend, and relative, the young mother served as a gymnastics coach, and worked as a lash technician. And just like the candles, people at the vigil say she was a light in the darkness.

“Alexa was a light for a lot of our lives, and she was leading us through the darkest of times and to be able to symbolize that with our walk and with the candles, I think that’s how Alexa should be remembered,” Ozwald said.