Vigil Held For Slain Grandmother

JEFFERSON, Md. (WJZ) -- A community comes together to remember a Frederick County grandmother. Lillie Morris, 67, was found dying in her front yard, stabbed multiple times. Now her granddaughter is charged with the murder.

Meghan McCorkell spoke with family members.

Family members say mental illness is to blame for this horrible tragedy.

Emotions flow as friends and family say goodbye to Lillie Morris.

Morris was stabbed to death in front of her Frederick County home Monday. Investigators say her own granddaughter, 19-year-old Hestina Harris, attacked the 67-year-old and then left her in the yard to die.

Family members say Harris suffers from mental illness.

"There is no way that child would have ever even looked at her mother wrong. But because of the sickness that she had and not taking medications--or not on medications--tragedy happens," said Pastor Joyce Hall, victim's cousin.

"Pray for the whole family, even the child that lost her life for what she did," one man said.

Morris was an instructional assistant at Brunswick High School, helping students for decades.

Friday night, former students filled a candlelight vigil, sharing memories of the woman who meant so much to the entire community.

"I've known her in school and she's always had a smile on her face. I mean, if you needed her, she was there," said Dawn Danner, former student.

Now they try and recall the lessons she taught them as they cope with losing her in such a tragic way.

"I know that she would want us all to think good things, smile at each other," one man said.

Funeral services for Morris will be held on Tuesday.

Hestina Harris is charged with first and second-degree murder and first-degree assault.

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