More than 1,000 people showed up to say their final farewells to Kenneka Jenkins at her wake and funeral in Chicago Saturday.
The funeral came as many questions of what happened to the 19-year-old remain. Her body was found in a walk-in freezer on Sept. 10 at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O’Hare Hotel & Conference Center in Rosemont.
“Some of us are best friends because of Kenneka,” Pastor Andre Williams said at the funeral. “She was sent her to serve a purpose — which she did — and that was to touch the world.”
Many of those who came to show their respects to Jenkins’ mother, Teresa Martin, did not actually know her. Some traveled far and wide just to attend the funeral at Salem Baptist Church. The line leading up to Jenkins’ open casket was long, with the stadium sized church decorated in white and purple — Jenkins’ favorite color.
“We’ve been following this ever since it happened — crying, staying up late at night — it’s heartbreaking. It feels like a relative,” Denise Mitchell told the http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-kenneka-jenkins-funeral-met-1001-20170930-story.htmlChicago Tribune, adding that she felt compelled to attend the funeral even if she did not know the teen.
Jenkins body was found after she went to a party at the hotel earlier this month. Though many conspiracy theorists online believe there was some form of foul play involving her friends, the police initially told family members that the 19-year-old trapped herself inside the freezer.
The family have protested the police and hotel staff’s actions throughout the investigation. Her family has also requested that the FBI get involved to provide more concrete evidence in the investigation. However, the agency said that they have no plans to take over the investigation.
Autopsy and toxicology results have yet to be released.