A Barrie church opened its doors to a grieving community Sunday, allowing mourners to pray and send notes of sympathy to the family of Brandon Crisp after his body was discovered last week.
A crowd of mourners gathered at St. Thomas Anglican Church to light candles, reflect and write in a book of condolences. Mourners were also invited to sign another book at the MacLaren Art Centre.
"When a child is taken from you, it's like a part of your heart is ripped out and it never returns," said local Brenda Lang.
Susan Woods, another local resident who came to church to express her sympathies, agreed Brandon's death affected the entire family.
"All of us in Shanty Bay felt keenly that we were part of the search for Brandon," she told CTV Toronto. "That's really what the essence of a community is. That is how I think how we will heal. We'll change and we'll never really get over it but I think we will get on."
Brandon's parents have not spoken publicly since their son's body was found on Wednesday. They are expected to make a public statement at some point this week to thank the community for their help with the search.
Brandon left home after he got into an argument on Oct. 13 with his parents about his constant video game playing. Police launched boat, helicopter and foot searches in the areas where they thought Brandon may have headed, including to the rail trail where he was last seen alive. Hundreds of volunteers supplemented the police search by expanding the area.
Locals out deer hunting eventually stumbled upon a body matching Brandon's description in a wooded area east of Barrie. The body was outside the search area.
On Saturday, Ontario Provincial Police said an autopsy on the body concluded that the teen died from trauma to his chest. Police said Brandon likely received the injury after falling from a tree.
A funeral for Brandon will take place at 10 a.m. on Friday at St. Mary's Church in Barrie.
With a report from CTV Toronto's Chris Eby
