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ST. CROIX — The family of Lyana Serieux along with community activists have planned what is being called a candlelight peace march and call to action for Thursday, a move aimed at raising awareness of the violence that has plagued the USVI, as well as to keep hope alive that the Virgin Islands Police Department will bring to justice the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

The event will take place at the D. Hamilton Jackson Park in Grove Place, starting at 5:00 p.m., according to a flyer of the event provided to The Consortium by Ms. Serieux’s cousin, Nadra Taylor Lloyd, who is involved in planning the vigil and march. Participants are asked to wear white tops. Those seeking more information should contact Dynel Lang, a popular figure in the St. Croix community and host of the Dynel Amore Show, and Shermaine Springer, whose community activism grew urgent following the death of her 18-year-old son, who was gunned down at the Altona Lagoon during a party just over a year ago while attempting to help his friend. Their numbers are 340-514-3040, and 340-626-2242 respectively. Interested persons can also contact Ms. Lloyd at 832-330-2941.

What is now one the most vicious crimes committed in modern Virgin Islands history, started on Friday, July 29, the last day Ms. Serieux along with her two sons were seen. Ms. Serieux’s family members had conducted their own search, but turned to police on Sunday, July 30 after futile attempts. By the night of Monday, July 31 at about 7:30 p.m., police discovered a 2011 Silver Toyota Yaris with license plate number CFR 304 — confirmed to be that of Ms. Serieux — burnt in Upper Love.

The following day (Tuesday, August 1) at about 11:35 a.m., moments after a V.I.P.D. press briefing seeking the community’s assistance, the bodies of Ms. Serieux’s two minor sons were discovered on the south shore near Ha’Penny Beach. The tragic nature of the discovery rocked the territory, with many expressing disbelief that such cruelty had occurred here.

The search continued for Ms. Serieux on Wednesday, August 2. During the evening of the same Wednesday, some residents gathered at Fort Christianvaern for prayer, and were joined by tens of thousands more from around the world. “I stand with you in prayer from Jerusalem,” said Hannah Jasmine McCoy. “Prayers from the Santos family from East Tennessee,” said Mario N. Wendy Santos. “Praying and standing in agreement in Indianapolis,” said Claire James.

On Thursday, August 3, Ms. Serieux’s body was discovered in a cistern of an abandoned building behind the Mutual Homes Housing Community.

V.I.P.D. Commissioner Delroy Richards vowed to bring those responsible to justice. “We are going to pursue the individual or individuals responsible, and we want them to know that. We are going to leave no stone unturned, and we’re going to be aggressively involved in trying to bring this to a closure,” he said at a press conference following the discovery of the boys’ bodies.