3/19/2014 – OKC, OK — A young mother murdered last week in California with a history of prostitution in Oklahoma City was honored by a local non-profit at a candlelight vigil Monday.
As previously reported on JohnTV (and in California and around the world), 21-year-old Jarrae Nikole Estepp was found murdered by workers at a recycling center in Anaheim, California.
Authorities suspect that Estepp, who has family California, had traveled from Oklahoma to California within the week and was engaged in prostitution near South Beach Boulevard and Ball Road when she disappeared – an area long known by police for the persistent presence of prostitution and drug activities.
One theory being investigated is that Estepp was picked up and murdered by a ‘John’ and then her nude body was placed in a dumpster before being unknowingly transported to the recycling center.
On Monday evening the Edmond, Oklahoma based non-profit No Boundaries International (NBI) held a candlelight vigil and memorial service in Estepp’s memory (People.com article).
NBI President Dr. Lori Basey hosting the memorial for Jarrae Estepp.
NBI, which has facilities in Edmond, NW and south Oklahoma City is dedicated to positively impacting the lives of those caught up in prostitution and human trafficking.
Estepp was well-known to NBI’s street outreach ministry. Volunteers came into contact with Estepp (who went by the street name ‘Sarah’) numerous times along south OKC’s infamous S. Robinson Ave. in 2011 and 2012; offering her kind words, prayer and help, should she want to leave her life of prostitution.
Estepp was noticeably pregnant with a baby boy during much of her time on South Robinson Ave.
Volunteers with NBI and individuals who knew Estepp attended Monday’s memorial service, which was hosted by NBI’s president Dr. Lori Basey.
The evening consisted of prayer, song, the sharing of personal memories of Estepp and a video slide show put together by JohnTV’s own Brian Bates.
Dr. Basey reminded those in attendance that Estepp was loved by many and that she hopes news of Estepp’s murder will inspire those still caught up in ‘the life’ to realize there are those people out there that truly do love them and that their life doesn’t have to end the same as Estepp’s.
So far no official cause of death or suspects have been released publicly.
Below is the memorial video slide show put together by JohnTV’s Brian Bates and shown at Monday’s memorial.
Below is a video of the actual candlelight memorial service hosted by No Boundaries International.