Friends, family gather to remember Dara Watson

A memorial service for a woman who grew up in Boone and was killed near Charleston was held Wednesday.

Friends and family members gathered at Mount Vernon Baptist Church to remember Dara Watson, 30.

SLIDESHOW: Candlelight vigil held for Watson

SLIDESHOW: Photos of Dara Watson

Watson, who grew up in the Boone area, vanished two weeks ago from the Mount Pleasant area. Her SUV was found burned and abandoned in the Marion National Forest, and her body was later found nearby.

Police say Watson’s fiancé, David Hedrick, killed her and buried her body. Hedrick then shot and killed himself in the home the two shared, investigators said.

On Wednesday, friends chose to remember how Watson lived instead of how she died.

“I'm going to really miss laughing with her and hearing her stories,” Mandy Southern said.

The people who were close to Watson relied on their faith and each other as they mourned her death. 

“Maybe God is using this opportunity and this day, through the pain and the hurt, maybe God is using this moment to speak to your heart,” Rev. Reggie Hunt said.

Watson was buried at the Watson family cemetery near Banner Elk after a funeral procession of nearly 25 miles.