SANTEE, Calif., Aug. 24 (UPI) -- A memorial service was held Saturday for Christina Anderson, a California mother, and her son, Ethan, who were killed by a family friend.
Hundreds attended the service at Guardian Angels Catholic Church in Santee, Calif., outside San Diego. The bodies belonging to the mother and son were found charred inside a home belonging to James Lee DiMaggio, a family friend who then kidnapped Christina's 16-year-old daughter, Hannah.
Authorities tracked DiMaggio to a remote portion of Idaho and he was killed in a firefight. Hannah Anderson survived the ordeal.
Those in attendance Saturday were given bookmarks with pictures of Christina and Ethan Anderson and copies of a poem read during the service, KGTV-San Diego reported.
"I gave to you my love. You can only guess how much you gave to me in happiness," a copy of the poem provided to the media read. "I thank you for the love you each have shown, but now it's time I traveled alone."
Speaking out for the first time publicly since her rescue, Hannah Anderson told NBC News Thursday she's grateful for the outpouring of public support.
"In the beginning I was a victim, but now knowing everyone is out there helping me, I consider myself a survivor instead," he said.
Read More
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- Autopsy: Mother of abducted Hannah Anderson died of blunt force trauma
- Note, letters found in DiMaggio's burned home after kidnapping
- Family of abducted teen in California was tortured before being killed
- Teen says kidnapper tricked her family
- Hannah Anderson was unaware of death of mother, brother
