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Hundreds gather to honor slain Orange County teenager

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Hundreds of people gathered Saturday to pay their respects to an Orange County teenager who was murdered and dumped in a wooded area in Osceola County.

Alexandria Chery’s funeral was held at Christ Sanctified Church on Pine Hills Road in Orange County.

The two-hour service was filled with tributes to the 16-year-old Olympia High School student.

“I know she wouldn’t want you guys to be crying right now. This isn’t supposed to be a crying fest, but a celebration because she’s with God right now,” said Fanzo Chery, Alexandria Chery’s brother.

The grief was too much for the teenager’s mother who had to be held up as she left periodically throughout the service.

Alexandria Chery’s body was found earlier this month, but so far no one has been charged with her murder.

Investigators have called her mother’s boyfriend, Sanel Saint Simon, the prime suspect in the case.

He’s charged with providing false information to a law enforcement officer and attempted destruction of evidence.

He allegedly lied about Chery's disappearance and police said he tried to clean up the bloody crime scene at her home.

Chery’s mom found her room ransacked, and investigators said sheets were stripped from her bed, many of her belongings were gone and blood was found on a teddy bear in her bedroom.

The community was able to help make the service for Alex and her family possible by raising more than $7,500.

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