Remembering Meghan
As hundreds gathered in front of Kelli's Dance Explosion studio in Portsmouth on Saturday, they took a moment to look back, remembering a shining star that fell too soon.
"She was here for about three years," school owner Kelli Derrick said of one of her top performers. "She did jazz, hip-hop, gymnastics, but her main thing was ballet. She loved to perform, to be the center of attention. The performance aspect and the fact that it wasn't an easy thing to do impressed her."
Some recalled one of the brightest faces to illuminate the halls of Wilson High School.
"She was the definition of school-spirited," said DeAngelo Lawson. "She was always happy, always trying to make people happy. When she saw somebody sad or upset, she went up to them and gave them a hug, trying to make them feel a lot better."
"She" was Meghan Landowski - and as over 200 of the lives she touched made their way across town, they took the next step of a journey of hope; hope that some of the saddest questions they ever had to ask would one day be answered.
Who killed Meghan, and left her body for her stepfather to find in her family's Simonsdale home that horrific morning back in April? Who forced dozens of parents and teachers to explain to their children and students why someone they knew and loved wouldn't be coming around anymore?
And why? Why would someone, anyone at all, do this? How could someone do it to a 16-year-old girl with everything and everyone to live for?
"We want to let people know that we were committed to finding the person who did this," Derrick said of Meghan, who would have turned 17 on Thursday, "and that there's a lot of people out here that still think about this every single day. We want to keep attention on the case, and bring out everybody that knew her and loved her."
Just after Meghan was killed, neighbors began placing signs, pictures, toys, and other items in front of her home. A few days later, a candlelight vigil was held
"The vigil was bittersweet to see so many people out, like today," Derrick said, "but it let us know that Meghan really touched a lot of people's lives. Her attitude was so lively, bubbly, and energetic that it disrupted the class all the time, but after she's gone, it's something you wish you had back."
Some march participants were adorned in outfits from the dance studio. Others wore buttons and T-shirts with Meghan's picture of them. Many carried signed reading, "RIP Meghan," and "We'll miss you."
When Megan Harkleroad saw her best friend at a supermarket the day before she was killed, she never dreamed it would be the last time they'd speak.
"The last thing she told me was, 'I love you,'" Harkleroad said. "She didn't mention any problems to me. When I first found out, I didn't believe it. You always remember her. I still think of her every day. She's here in spirit; we can feel here all around. She's laughing."
Led by Meghan's mother and stepfather, the group made its way down Portsmouth Boulevard. It would soon pass the Pinecrest Baptist Church, where a tree and plaque were donated in Meghan's honor, and reach the city park. Some marchers called out Meghan's name as they went.
"She never stopped talking, but we loved her so much," said Brittany Rupert, a fellow dancer. "She brought light to everybody; she never stopped laughing. I'm glad that she did it, because she brought light to the whole classroom. I loved Meghan, and I think she would have done this for anyone else."
Brittany's mother Carolyn still remembers getting the phone call from the studio, asking that parents bring their children to Kelli's to learn of Meghan's death.
"There's a void," Carolyn said. "She's with us in our hearts; we just can't see her. It's hard, because we don't have any new leads and we haven't heard anything for a long time. Now that we're doing this, they're getting Meghan's picture out, so hopefully somebody will have some more details."
Portsmouth police department public information officer Jan Westerbeck wouldn't say if any new leads have arisen of late.
"The investigators are working diligently to solve it," Westerbeck said, "and they haven't stopped since day one."
Neither will those who will never forget her.
"We're not giving up," Carolyn said.
"I'm hoping they're going to catch (the person who did this)," Megan said.
"I think anything we can do for her memory, and help find who did this is good," said Olivia Porter. "It's been really emotional and really changed my outlook on life. Life can be so short. You would never expect anything like that to happen."
