The family of Sandra Cantu celebrated Monday what would have been her ninth birthday with a memorial service in Tracy.
It's been nearly one year since Cantu vanished from her neighborhood. Her body was found in a nearby irrigation ditch, stuffed in luggage.
Several hundred people came to Melville S. Jacobson Elementary School to pay tribute to Sandra. She was a student there.
Sandra's mother Maria Chavez said she was overwhelmed by all the community support.
"She's a beautiful girl. She was happy she loved life," said Chavez.
Melissa Huckaby, a 28-year-old Sunday school teacher whose daughter used to play with Cantu, is on trial on murder charges in connection with Cantu's death.
Huckaby's next court appearance is set for March 29. Her trial is set for Oct. 18.
This article originally appeared on KCRA.com.
