Family, friends and members of the community who were touched by a 13-year-old boy who disappeared Friday gathered Monday evening at the very spot Chandler “Chad” Shetterly was last seen alive to say farewell by holding a candlelight vigil.

More than 100 people gathered at the Gloucester Point Beach to reflect on Chad’s life and receive comfort that he is now in a better place.

Longtime family friend Amanda Robbins, who organized the vigil, said she wanted the family to see first-hand the support that was within the community standing behind them during their time of grief.

Robbins said she grew up with one of Chad’s older sisters, Tiffany, and said Chad was exactly like her little brother. “He loved being outside working on things,” she said. “Tiffany and the family never had a bad thing to say about him. He was so sweet from what they all have said.”

Chad’s family is “probably the closest family I’ve ever met … They have a huge love for God,” she said. “I can say a lot about how amazing that family is, but that candlelight last night was all to show that Chad was a very sweet, caring, young child who’s no longer got to suffer.”

Robbins said she had no idea the vigil was going to be as large as it turned out to be. “But I’m actually really glad it was,” she said. “It showed the family just how much support that they’ve got right now, and seeing them smile made me happy … It showed how much everyone really loved him.”

During the vigil, Calvin Griffin, pastor of Singleton United Methodist Church at Schley offered several scripture readings that spoke to God’s love for a child and also offered a prayer of comfort for the family. Singleton is where Chad and his siblings were baptized. 

“I’m so grateful, humbled and thankful for all of you who came out to remember Chad tonight,” Griffin said. “I know Jesus now has him in His hands.”