Family grieves together

Care of Valpo victim's two children priority as search for killer goes on.
Date: January 22, 2005

As another day closed with no arrest for Jamie Gray's killer, her parents struggled to map out a future for her two children.

 They also planned a Sunday night vigil at the scene of her Valparaiso slaying -- turning a violent site into a peaceful one.Gray's father, Ricky Gray, and her mother, Deni Weber, are concerned for the care of Gray's two children, 7-year-old Sebastian and 3-year-old Siobhan.

 "Right now, we are trying to get through the grief of losing our daughter," Ricky said, attempting to hold back tears as he talked Friday from his home north of Valparaiso.

 He also helped city police, who remained quiet Friday about their investigation into the Thursday killing of the 29-year-old.

 She was stabbed 13 times in the parking lot of Jamestown Apartments where she lived, just north of Vale Park Road.

 A neighbor's friend comforted Gray until emergency crews arrived. She was rushed by ambulance to Porter hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 12:14 a.m. Thursday.

 Ricky said he provided police with names of some possible suspects. He also said police took Gray's computer hardware since she spent a lot of time on the Internet.

 Cpl. Mike Grennes, Valparaiso Police Department spokesman, said detectives continue to follow leads and are looking for any witnesses who might have seen the suspect or his vehicle.

 Police are looking for an older model Chevrolet, possibly a pickup or sport utility vehicle. Investigators believe the attacker knew Gray in some manner, and they don't believe robbery was a motive.

 Weber said she is concerned police catch the person who killed her daughter as soon as possible.

 "This has to be a very disturbed person," she said.

 Weber said 13 family members made funeral arrangements for Gray at Moeller Funeral Home in Valparaiso.

 As part of the healing process and to counter the violence, family and friends will hold a candlelight vigil about 8:15 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday outside the apartment shared by Gray and her brother, Jon.

 The Rev. Al Marquez will officiate at the 7 p.m. Sunday funeral service at Liberty Bible Church, 824 N. Calumet Ave. He will say a few words at the vigil, Weber said. Visitation will precede the service from 5 to 7 p.m.

 Weber said they may set up luminaries outside the apartment at 2817 Virginia Park Drive.

 "After the violence, this may provide some comfort for Jon and others living there," Weber said.

 Gray's children are a prime concern.

 "We will make sure Jamie's son and daughter are well cared for," Ricky said.

 With Gray's parents remarried, Sebastian and Siobhan spend weekends with Ricky and Mary Gray. During the week, they are usually at Weber's home with Deni and her husband, Steve.

 Reporter Frank Wiget can be reached at 477-6012 or fwiget@post-trib.com.

 If you go

 Visitation for Jamie Gray will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Moeller Funeral Home in Valparaiso, followed by funeral service at Liberty Bible Church at 7 p.m. A candlelight vigil will be held 8:15 to 8:30 p.m. outside her apartment at 2817 Virginia Park Drive.