A public candlelight memoriam for Isabel Celis, whose remains were found in a rural area of Pima County, is set for Wednesday, April 5, at the downtown Joel D. Valdez Main Library.
The outdoor vigil is from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at 101 N. Stone Ave., said Travis Ramirez, a photographer and Pima Community College student who is hosting the event.
A guest book will be available for people to send their thoughts to the Celis family, and the public is invited to speak at the memoriam, said Ramirez.
On Friday, nearly five years after Isabel disappeared from her family's midtown home, Police Chief Chris Magnus announced at a news conference that the child's remains were found in early March in a remote area. He said he would not elaborate because the investigation is ongoing.
The remains were positively identified by DNA testing as those of Isabel, who was 6 years old when she went missing from her bedroom in 2012.
After the news conference, Tucson Medical Center — where Isabel's mother, Becky Celis, is a nurse — issued a statement on behalf of the family:
"We want to thank the community for the support they have continued to show for Isa over the years and for refusing to give up hope. Now is our time to mourn. We ask for our privacy during this time so that we can do that."
Ramirez said after hearing the family's statement he wanted to show them Tucson's support and to "pay our respects to our angel Isa."
Isabel touched "everybody's heart," said Ramirez.
