EDMONTON- Family and friends of a young girl who passed away after being found in a parked vehicle Tuesday gathered to say goodbye Thursday evening.
Police were called to a townhouse complex shortly before 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, after a three-year-old girl was found inside a vehicle in medical distress.
Thursday afternoon, police said the nature of the child’s death was not criminal in nature. Investigators determined the girl was not left in a vehicle by a parent or guardian and that the vehicle involved was not locked.
Dozens of people from the Zimbabwean community came together Thursday evening to mourn their loss, and remember and honour the life of the young girl.
“It’s something that is very unfortunate, that we lost our little angel,” said Munya Madzinga, chair of the Zimbabwe Cultural Society of Alberta.
“She was a humble kid, very smart for her age. Wherever she was present she would make everyone laugh, so I’m going to miss that,” added Madzinga.
He says the death has shocked the community, and everyone is having a difficult time with the loss.
“In Africa, it takes a village to raise a kid, so this is tragic to everyone. So at this moment, we just need time to ourselves and grieve the way we know.
“We stand together as one in good and bad times, we are all here for each other … we are one family.”