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Vigil Held For Mother Of 4 Allegedly Slain By Boyfriend In Burbank

WHITTIER (CBSLA.com) —  An emotional candlelight vigil was held Friday evening for a Whittier woman -- a mother of four -- allegedly slain by her boyfriend in Burbank.

Friends and family honored Brandi Carrasco's memory during the somber service.

The vigil was held in front of the home where Carrasco grew up. The focus on the vigil was not on her death, but on her life.

Carrasco had just turned 35 earlier this month.

Her 28-year-old boyfriend -- Timothy Aguilar Andrade of Hesperia -- is accused of stabbing her to death on August 23. Police said he acted alone and led them to what is believe to be the murder weapon.

He reportedly stabbed her in the neck -- the motive unknown.

She was found dead in the bedroom of a home in the 1900 block of Richard Street, a home the couple apparently stayed in off-and-on.

Brian Thomas Lowe, 49, who lived in the home where Carrasco was murdered was originally arrested by police for reportedly providing inconsistent statements. But he proved to them he had nothing to do with the murder and is no longer a suspect, authorities said.

KCAL9's Peter Daut spoke to her friends and many loved ones he says were united in grief.

"It's ugly. it's just sad. it's very traumatic for everybody. it's a sad thing," said Irene Gutierrez.

"You can only guess how much you gave me in happiness," said one friend, choking back tears.

Many of her friends  brought photos of Carrasco  as a child -- to a man, they described the dental hygienist and mom as someone who always cared deeply for others.

"She always had a smile on her face, and we like to remember her as being happy and outgoing," says cousin Sabrina Pariagua.

They say they are devastated her life ended in violence especially as  the suspected killer is someone she cared for.

"That's terrible. it's terrible," said Velma Garcia, a friend.

If convicted, Andrade faces life in prison.

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