Family, Friends To Hold Vigil To Honor The Victims Of Violence In Tulsa

When someone is murdered or goes missing, their families are left behind to cope with the grief, anger and unanswered questions.

They often feel alone, but once a year they have a chance to get together with other families who have endured similar tragedies.

This vigil was created by Sheila Owen, a woman whose daughter has been missing for nine years. It's a time to share stories, honor loved ones and talk one on one with homicide detectives.

The list of missing people is lengthy, and with each name there's a family suffering great heartache. It's a unique hurt, something only others going through it can truly understand.

"You bring families together to let them know you are not alone, to meet each other. We are a family and a support system for each other," said Catherine Oak, murder victim's mother.

Catherine's daughter, Vicki Knight, was murdered during a robbery at her job. It went unsolved for many years. Now, she is an advocate for other victim's family members.

Unfortunately it's a group that keeps growing. They often feel once the headlines fade and the funerals are over, their loved one's memory gets lost in the shuffle.

"During the course of their investigation, families do feel they've been forgotten or their loved one's case gets lost in the crush of the justice system," Oak said/

That's why this year's vigil includes two homicide detectives who can answer questions for the families, one on one. The vigil ends with families placing messages for their loved ones inside balloons and releasing them.

The Vigil is this Saturday from1 to 4 p.m. at the Celebration Church at 47th and Memorial. It's open to anyone who has a missing or murdered loved one.