In a heartbreaking incident on January 13, two young sisters, aged 7 and 3, were found dead in an apparent murder-suicide. The local community has rallied around the bereaved mother, offering support and assistance with funeral costs.
The bodies of the two girls, Jessi and Summer, were discovered alongside their father, James “Jake” Hill, at their home. The local authorities had been called to the residence for a welfare check, according to a statement from the Routt County Sheriff’s Office. The case is currently under investigation as a murder-suicide, and the authorities have assured the community that there is no ongoing threat.
Tera Sherwood Peterson, a close family friend, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the costs of the girls’ memorial services. Peterson revealed that the girls were visiting their father at the time of the incident. Their parents, Hill and Tierny Kay Miller, were separated.
The community has planned several tributes to honor the memory of the two young girls. A candlelight vigil is being organized, and a permanent memorial, featuring a plaque, is set to be installed in a local park in Cedaredge. A special event is also in the works, where balloons with personal messages in memory of Jessi and Summer will be released.
The tragic loss of Jessi and Summer has deeply affected the community, bringing people together in shared grief and compassion. As the family prepares to bid their final goodbyes to the young girls, the overwhelming support and donations from the community stand as a testament to the love and strength that surrounded Jessi and Summer in their short lives.