Memorial planned for murdered 7-year-old, uncle

CUMBERLAND, Ind. (WISH) - Six months ago Tuesday, a 7-year-old and her uncle were murdered inside their Cumberland home .

It was a story that gripped the community.

Wednesday, the accused - Michael Bell and Jeremy Priel – will appear before a judge.

But Tuesday, a balloon release honored the memory of Kyleigh Crane, 7, and Jeremy Crane, 21, at Washington Park East Memorial Garden.

The Crane family is also working on a unique idea to keep their memory alive.

“Right now, it is just grass. But look for something beautiful to happen,” Catherine Crane said as she pointed to a median near Mitthoeffer Road and 10th street.

The Crane family adopted two medians to remember Kyleigh and Jeremy, who were killed last December in a home in the 600 block of Woodlark Drive.

The arrest of Bell shocked the family, because he had been good friends with Jeremy Crane . He and Priel both face two charges of murder, one charge of robbery and one charge of carrying a handgun without a license. The killings evidently came during the theft of game consoles from the house.

But the plans for the adopted medians are a way for the family to say thank you to a community that's offered more than a shoulder for support.

“I can't tell you how many people will walk up when they see me, and they just want to hug you,” Catherine Crane said. “Sometimes a hug is better than saying anything, and sometimes the words are nice.”

For now, the Cranes are still planning and figuring out landscaping costs.

“We want to make it look beautiful. We want people to drive by and say, ‘Wow, isn’t that nice,’” Crane said.

Cathy Crane said Jeremy loved blue and Kyleigh’s favorite color was green. Flowers and other shrubbery planted will reflect their style. The community that has helped them heal can help make the site beautiful, too. They are planning a planting day, and everyone is invited.