Family and friends held a prayer vigil Sunday evening in honor of a mother of five who police said was killed by her estranged husband.
The vigil took place in the parking lot of Westwood United Methodist Church in memory of Melissa Lain, who was 37. After a prayer, attendees lit lanterns and released balloons.
“It was amazing. Melissa, in the past, she’s always been a quiet girl and she loves the community and her friends, and everybody came together and showed us how important Melissa has made an impact on so many people’s lives," said Sandra Thomas, Melissa’s mother.
Kalamazoo Township Police said Melissa's estranged husband, 43-year-old David Lain, admitted to stabbing Melissa multiple times while she was sleeping on the morning of Sunday, Jan. 9. Investigators said one of her children called 911. Melissa died at the hospital.
“Hate that you went through all this, and we definitely are going to take care of your kids and make sure we get justice for you," said Thomas. "I am going to be your voice."
David Lain was charged with open murder. Court records showed Melissa filed for divorce from David more than two months before her death.
“She’s at peace now. This is God’s way to stop the abuse," said Thomas.
Melissa's sister, Amanda Arredondo, recalled spending time with Melissa just two weeks before the stabbing,
“Seeing her at Christmas, she had a joy, like she had her sparkle back," said Arredondo, "Lot of our family members had said that she – it was like the old Melissa was back.”
Melissa was the mother of five children, who are between 8 and 19 years old. They also took part in Sunday's vigil.
"There will be lots of questions that they have, not understanding why their mom was taken from them at such a young age," said Thomas. "Everything she did was for those kids."
"I think all of our kids were her kids," added Arredondo. "She loved her kids. She loved our kids. She was like a mother hen."
David Lain would face life behind bars if convicted. A probable cause hearing was scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 19.
A GoFundMe page was set up to benefit Melissa's family. As of Sunday, people donated $8,200.