More than 150 people from the South Kitsap community packed in the Marina Waterfront Park gazebo to show their support for the family of a murdered South Kitsap woman.
A candlelight vigil was held Nov. 8 for the family of Amber Lynn Coplin, a mother of five. The 30-year-old woman was found dead Nov. 4 in an apartment located in the 4000 block of Madrona Drive SE, across from the Village Green Golf Course.
Coplin’s boyfriend, David Michael Kalac, 33, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. He was arrested one day after the murder in Wilsonville, Ore.
After most of the people made their way into the gazebo stands, the family was escorted to the vigil site by a group of 20 motorcycle riders, who also helped shield the victim’s family from the media.
Vigil coordinator Leann Lee asked members of the media to not take photographs or videos of Coplin’s family members.
Cynthia Landry, a friend and spokesperson for the victim’s family, said she had known the victim since Coplin was in junior high school.
“She was always a funny girl who always had a quick wit and quick answer for everything,” she said. “When I picture her that is what I see. She is in the faces of her children and her family. That is who she is.
“It’s important to know the life of a person even when thier passing is because of someone else,” she said. “Amber is forever beautiful. She is forever loved and there is nothing, nothing that takes away the fact we are whole, we do love and we do find her to be a special person in us forever.”
Landry told the crowd that another person’s act “cannot rob you of the love and relationship that you had with Amber.”
Landry said it’s emotionally hard for a lot people close to Coplin’s family.
“It’s hard for a lot of these people. They are having meetings elsewhere. It’s hard for them to come together. There are people at home who are sad and crying, and horrified and don’t know what to do.”
South Kitsap Fire and Rescue Chaplin Bill Thaele opened the gathering with a prayer.
“Even though tragedy has struck we’ve turned and come together strong in faith and in our beliefs,” he said.
After a moment of silence and “Amazing Grace” was sung, several Chinese lanterns were lit and one was released by one of Coplin’s sons in memory of his mother.
Landry said there has been a large outpouring of support online for the family.
“The support has been huge from all over the world,” she said.
Persons interested in making a donation to assist with Coplin’s funeral expenses and assisting her children can go online to www.idontdosilent.com.
