Community Unites To Remember Skiatook Murder Victims

A Green Country community remembered 16-year-old Larisa Fraley and her 71-year-old great-grandmother, Esther Driskell, who were murdered this week.

Thursday, January 30th 2014, 10:53 pm



A Green Country community remembered 16-year-old Larisa Fraley and her 71-year-old great-grandmother, Esther Driskell, who were murdered this week.

Friends of the victims gathered Thursday for a vigil at Riveted Church in Skiatook.

Onneke Holland, a friend from Larisa Fraley's class, who organized the vigil said the town needed this to reflect on the past and pray for the future.

"It's a small town and everyone deserves to be remembered," Holland said.

1/28/2014 Related Story: Skiatook Woman, Great Granddaughter Dead, Great Grandson In Jail

Through tear-filled eyes and warm embraces, a small town united to remember. No one remembers more than Darion Kraft, who said he was with Larisa Fraley just minutes before she died.

"She's just probably one of my best friends I could say I ever had," Kraft said.

Friends call Larisa the most outgoing person they knew, with a smile as contagious as her sense of humor.

"She was always laughing and making jokes and stuff," said Jasmine Lloyd.

"She always knew how to make anyone laugh or feel better. She was good at giving advice," said Ashe Deason.

Now, with their closest friend gone, the teenagers are looking to each other for support; and raising their hands in faith for answers.

"I just sit there. I just want to still text her and go over there and hang out with her, but I know that I can't," said Darion Kraft.

"I kind of feel like there's an empty spot there for Larisa and there always will be."

To bring some closure, balloons in blue and green, Larisa's favorite colors, were sent flying in the sky. A special note tied to each, symbolizing a prayer or a happy memory that her friends say are headed toward heaven.

"It just feels like that balloon is gonna get up there and reach it and she's gonna untie all of them and just read them and everything's gonna be all right", said friend, Arena Brough.

Larisa's 19-year-old brother, Devin Stanley, remains in the Osage County jail, accused of killing his sister and their great-grandmother, Esther Driskell.

Thursday's vigil was also about paying respect to Driskell, who I'm told, was kind, caring and lived to take care of her grand children and great-grand children.

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