Tribute to slain SoCal teen focuses on her love of animals
By Elliot Spagat, APSaturday, March 27, 2010
Hundreds attend tribute for slain SoCal teen
ESCONDIDO, Calif. — A 14-year-old San Diego-area girl whose bones were found more than a year after she vanished walking to school is being remembered as a voracious reader with a fertile imagination and a profound love of animals.
More than 1,000 people gathered Saturday on a sun-drenched track field at Escondido High School to hear stories about Amber Dubois from teachers and friends.
A llama, a parrot, a monkey, a snake and a wolf all made appearances.
The ceremony ended when the parents of four young girls who perished released doves in their memoires. They included Brent and Kelly King, whose 17-year-old daughter Chelsea was killed after disappearing from a park last month.
Police say John Albert Gardner III is a suspect in Amber’s death. The convicted sex offender has pleaded not guilty to murdering Chelsea King.
