Last night, students, friends, family and beyond gathered at Stellenbosch University’s Rooiplein Amphitheatre. A candlelight ceremony illuminated campus, celebrating the lives of Ethan Kirkland and Leila Lees.
Many are seen wearing angel and fairy wings. Leila was wearing a white silk dress and angel wings when she passed away. She and Ethan had been to a Halloween party.
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Candlelit ceremony for Leila and Ethan in Stellenbosch?beautiful!? pic.twitter.com/5LO5hMxrwh
— Robyn (inthe) Hood (@robynhoodcpt) October 28, 2022
The young couple, Ethan 19 and Leila 18, passed away this week. Their bodies were recovered in their vehicle in a dam located just off Paul Kruger Street. They were reported missing and last seen on Friday 21 October. They were found the following Monday.
Stellenbosch police identified the teens and registered a case of culpable homicide for further investigation.
Also read: UPDATE: Stellies students’ bodies identified, “culpable homicide for further investigation”
At the site of the crash, flowers, messages, trinkets and photographs stud the fence in their memory.
The first bouquet of flowers was left on the corner of Bird and Plein Streets shortly after their bodies were recovered. Tributes have continued to pour in since.
An online petition to “fill the Stellenbosch ‘Quarry’” was created on Monday, 24 October.
Also read: Sign the petition to “fill the hole on Bird Street”, Stellenbosch
Sign the petition to “fill the hole on Bird Street”, Stellenbosch
Picture: Screenshot / Twitter