WASHINGTON — Family, friends and neighbors gathered for a candlelight vigil Tuesday night to remember Crystal Hamilton outside her Woodbridge home, where she was shot to death Saturday night.
Her husband has admitted to shooting her and three responding Prince William County police officers, killing Officer Ashley Guindon, according to court records.
While remembering 29-year-old Crystal’s life, her family used the vigil to warn of the dangers of domestic violence.
“When I turn to my left I don’t see her anymore and I didn’t get the opportunity to say ‘goodbye’ to her,” said Crystal’s sister Wendy Howard, of Wilmington, North Carolina.
“I want this to be a platform for people out there that are facing domestic violence … please use this opportunity to take a stand,” Howard said.
She urged anyone who is in an abusive relationship to break it off.
“Please if you don’t do it for yourself, do it for your child, please walk away, it’s not worth it,” Howard said.
The crowd filled the sidewalk in front of the single-family home and spilled into the street. Bouquets of flowers, balloons and posters affixed with photographs of Crystal were placed against a tree in the front yard.
