Prayer vigil set to mark anniversary of teen's death

A prayer vigil will be held Sunday to commemorate the anniversary of the death of 19-year-old Kenneka Jenkins in the freezer of a Rosemont hotel.

The Rosemont Public Safety Department says it will assist at the vigil, which is to be held near the Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare Hotel and Conference Center, 5440 N. River Road, where Jenkins' body was found.

In a statement issued Friday, Superintendent Donald E. Stephens III expressed his deepest sympathy to Jenkins' family and friends on behalf of the department and the Village of Rosemont.

Officials have reached out and spoken to Jenkins' mother, Teresa Martin, who said this will be a peaceful remembrance of her daughter and that those who attend should join her in peace, according to the release.

Jenkins' body was found in an empty but operating 34-degree freezer on Sept. 10, 2017, about 21 hours after video surveillance showed her entering it. The Cook County medical examiner's office ruled the death accidental.