LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - Ebby Steppach's family got a long-awaited, yet heartbreaking sense of closure Saturday, May 26, as hundreds of people gathered for her memorial service at Christ Community Church on the campus of Little Rock Christian Academy.
Ebby disappeared in Oct. 2015 at the age of 18. Saturday's service came after her remains were found in Chalamont Park on Tuesday, May 22, steps from where her car had been parked two-and-a-half years earlier.
"Her heart was so big and with it, she loved fiercely," Steppach's obituary reads.
Steppach was remembered for those qualities during the service as friends and family took the stage. "Ebby is one of the few people who taught me what unconditional love is," her younger sister Harris told the crowd.
Several members of law enforcement who worked on her case were honored with a standing ovation. Following the service, Ebby's stepfather, Michael Jernigan, offered praise to the Little Rock Police Cold Case Unit and FBI.
"We believe that there's a lot of resources and effort going into solving Ebby's case and determining what's happened to her," Jernigan said. "I believe that in their efforts they're going to come to a conclusion of what's happened and who caused her death."
He said the days since police discovered Ebby's remains in Chalamont Park have been difficult for family and friends.
"As difficult as it is, we are celebrating that Ebby is in heaven with Jesus," Jernigan said.
Jernigan said members of Ebby's family also find comfort in those around them.
"Over two-and-a-half years, there are so many people that have followed her story. There are many people that have been here today as part of this celebration, and we're grateful they were able to be here," he said.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are made to H.A.L.O.S Investigations and T.H.O.R.N
H.A.L.O.S is an investigative group dedicated to locating missing and trafficked children. T.H.O.R.N. is an international anti-human trafficking organization that works to address the sexual exploitation of children. Both are non-profits.
"We want the events that we've gone through and the way her life has ended and everything that we've gone through since then to impact other," Jernigan said.