Hundreds Gather To Remember Slain Wenatchee Teen

Hundreds of people attended a service to remember Mackenzie Cowell whose body was found Feb. 13 along the river at Crescent Bar.

Those who came to mourn said their heartbreak is mixed with anxiety because the person who killed the 17-year-old girl remains a mystery and has not been caught.

“Someone took Mackenzie’s life into their hands. They did something only God is allowed to do. We are here today because somebody stole her life," said Cowell’s family pastor Sandy Brown.

The crowd watched slideshows of the little girl who was teased because of a severe speech impediment, a birth defect that would require jaw surgery. Last year, her classmates made her the prom queen.

Cowell disappeared after surveillance cameras caught her leaving a class at a Wenatchee beauty school; her car was found later that night on a country road about 20 miles away. Four days later her body was found along the shore of the Columbia River.

Cowell’s brother reacted to the huge turnout after the memorial as they prepared to launch hundreds of balloons.

“It was incredible. You know, it meant the world to me because we all loved her and that's what shows, is how much everybody loves her," Trevor Cowell said.

Investigators said they have no suspects yet.

The Cowell family started a reward fund to help catch her killer and so far have raised $6,000.

Police asked anyone with information possibly related to the case to call the tip line at 509-663-9911.

Previous Stories: February 18, 2010: New Video Released In Wenatchee Teen Murder Case February 16, 2010: Police Ask For Specific Tip In Finding Teen's Killer February 15, 2010: Divers Search For Clues In Wenatchee Teen’s Death February 15, 2010: FBI Joins Investigation Into Teen's Death February 14, 2010: Police: Young Woman's Body Found Along River February 12, 2010: FBI Asked To Join Search For Wenatchee-Area Girl February 10, 2010: Chelan Deputies Look For Missing 17-Year-Old Girl