Community gathers to remember and mourn victims of murder-suicide

People filled the intersection of 44th Avenue West and Sixth Street with candles, lights and memories of the victims killed during last week's murder-suicide in Duluth.

The home at the northwest corner of the intersection and across the street from Denfeld High School is where victims Kathryn Nephew (Ramsland), 45, and Oliver Nephew, 7, were found last Thursday.

Sky lanterns were launched in memory of the victims and a short vigil was held at the site. United Methodist clergyperson Jojo Coffin-Langdon of Duluth asked the 500 people in attendance to raise their candles and lights high into the air then remarked, "This is what community looks like, this is what family looks like." After reading a meditation, ringing a bell and a brief moment of silence, the large group lined up behind members of the families of the victims and began walking up 44th Avenue West en route to 6009 Tacony Street, the other location involved in the murder-suicide.

Guided by police vehicles from the Duluth Police Department, the group traveled quietly along West Eighth Street to Tacony Street and climbed the hill up to the residence of victims Erin Abramson, 47, and Jacob Nephew, 15. Members of the running group that Abramson was a part of spoke about their friend and early morning running companion, followed by a short meditation and bell ringing.

Friends and family gathered around the front porch of the residence in the light rain to watch as sky lanterns were prepared and launched in memory of Erin and Jacob. The lanterns were reluctant to float among the falling raindrops but began to slowly rise into the sky.

One lantern quickly ascended into the overcast sky as the other lingered near the second story of the home. During a brief moment of levity someone commented, "Come on, Erin! It's time to go!" followed by another quick comment from the group, "That's so Erin." The gathering then fell silent as they watched the two lanterns disappear into the night sky and then people started walking in the rain back to their cars eight blocks away.

ALSO READ more photography Share News Reporting News ReportingBased on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? Tags By Clint Austin A photographer at the Duluth News Tribune since August 2003. What To Read Next Get Local