GRAND FORKS — A week after the murder of Anthony “Tony” James Kiehl, 49, loved ones gathered in front of the Grand Forks police station for a candlelight vigil.

Kiehl’s sister, Lori Ann Garcia, organized the meeting on Thursday, Oct. 31, hoping to share memories of her younger brother.

“My brother was known as a kind, helpful, generous and loving person,” Garcia told the Herald.

The vigil, held next to the bike path Kiehl regularly used to get to her apartment, was one of many she’s looking forward to. Those present held candles, shared stories and prayed. A handmade sign read “Justice for Tony.”

Before Kiehl moved to his Cherry Street residence, where he was found unresponsive on Oct. 24 — the night he died — he resided at LaGrave on First, which is Grand Forks’ permanent supportive housing for homeless people.

Cindy Cogsdell, a recently retired case manager at LaGrave on First, was just released from the hospital after a month-long stay due to ongoing health issues. When another LaGrave resident told her about the vigil, she said, “‘I’m going to be there for Lori and for Tony.’ And I’m glad I got out in time to be here.”

Kiehl and Garcia were among his first clients at LaGrave. She would drive Kiehl to the bank to cash his disability checks, and on the way he would pick out music.

“Oh, Tony loved music,” Cogsdell said. “He loved playing with me in my car.”

When Kiehl left LaGrave more than a year ago, she worried it was too soon.

“I remember thinking, ‘He shouldn’t move.’ He’s just not ready,” she said. “I thought they were setting him up to fail. In my eyes, that’s what they were doing.”

Cogsdell believed Kiehl needed additional support and additional case management. He had mental health and alcohol issues, according to Garcia.

After Kiehl’s death, which preliminary autopsy results showed was a homicide, two men were arrested for alleged involvement.

Donald “DJ” Joseph Bartlette, 45, is charged with murder, while Nicholas Alexander Wride-Arnold, 35, is charged with conspiracy to murder.

Connie Laducer, another vigil attendee who knew Kiehl from her time living in LaGrave, said the violent death was “just shocking.”

“How could anyone do this?” » said Laducer.

Garcia said that, more than being angry at the people accused of the murder, she is angry at the system.

“Violence has no place in our community,” she said. “It’s a community issue.”

At the time of Kiehl’s death, Bartlette had pending trespassing charges and, despite a record of violence, she said he was released without monetary bail.

“I’m angry at the way things are going in Grand Forks – the system, the police officers,” Garcia said. “Because DJ should never have been released on PR bail.”

Garcia is also shocked by the lack of support given to the families of victims of violent crimes.

“It’s crazy that there isn’t some sort of emergency fund set up here in Grand Forks for the victim’s family – that you don’t have to jump through hoops for – because Grand Forks is no stranger to murder,” she said.

As her family has a low income, she struggles to pay for an urn, funeral and burial for her brother. There is a fund for these things, but it is funded through reimbursement, and his family can’t afford to pay upfront, Garcia said.

The county will pay for her brother’s cremation, she said, but that’s it.

“Everyone can choose how the service happens for their loved one,” Garcia said. “I don’t have that choice. And I feel like I’m being pursued because I’m poor.”

Bartlette and Wride-Arnold face life in prison without parole if convicted of their charges. If that were to happen, Garcia still won’t feel justice was served.

“It doesn’t make me feel good,” she said. “Because it doesn’t bring my brother back.”