The MINTER-HEDGEPATH Children (2010) - Dallas (W of Charlotte) NC

Nearly 500 people gathered in Dallas for a
prayer vigil for murdered mother and her children.

Police say Austen Minter, 25, shot and killed
his pregnant girlfriend, Tracy Hedgepath, 24, and two of their children,
Austen II, 6, and Serenity, 3 Friday night. A third child, Destiny, 7,
survived the shooting.

Through her tears, Cynthia Morrison,
Hedgepath's sister, told the crowd, "they were all so wonderful and full
of love and life and will leave a hole in our hearts for them."

Feeling helpless yet determined to help, Lori
Shaw who didn't know either family helped organize the vigil.

"It's just unthinkable," said Shaw. "So when
you lay at bed at night and you can't sleep because you're thinking of
it. You know something has to be done."

But even Shaw couldn't have imagined the
turnout: hundreds, including a group of teachers who walked the eight
blocks from Carr Elementary where young Austen was a kindergartner.

"He was truly a treasure that will never be
forgotten," said Katie Thomas, his teacher. "He always had a smile on
his face everyday. Always happy about life, carefree. Loved to play
T-Ball. Loved his friends."

The town of Dallas has
purchased the family's burial plots because they didn't have life
insurance.

Wednesday's vigil also helped raise money to
help pay for the funerals of Hedgepath and her children.

Donations to help the family pay for funeral
expenses may be sent to:

Hillview Baptist Church
c/o Tracy Hedgepeth Assistance Fund
403 Dallas-Stanley Highway
Dallas, NC 28034

You can also make donations at any Wachovia
Bank and the Gastonia Kmart location for the Tracy Hedgepath Assistance Fund.

Hundreds of people attended a candlelight vigil on Wednesday evening in
memory of a slain Gaston County mother and her two children. Mourners gathered in Dallas in honor of Tracy Hedgepath, her
daughter, 3-year-old Serenity Minter, and her son, 6-year-old Austen
Minter II. They were shot and killed at their home last Friday by
Hedgepath’s boyfriend and the children’s father, Austen Minter. He then
killed himself.Organizers ran out of candles Wednesday after
passing out 450.
Hedgepath's sister, Cynthia Morrison, said the large turnout
showed her that the community supports her and her family.“[It
showed us the community members’] love and care, and understanding for
what we're going through. And just wanting to show us how much they
love us and care for our family,” Morrison said.“I think it's
just important for all of us to get together to heal,” Monica Hayes, who
organized the event, said.Many of the people who attended the
vigil donated money to help pay for the funerals of Hedgepath and her
children. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.Hedgepath's
oldest child, 7-year-old Destiny, was also shot, but she survived. She
was listed in serious condition this week at Carolinas Medical Center.
Family members said Destiny is getting stronger every day.

Family Members Shocked By Murder-Suicide
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Marvin Beach
Story Created: Jul 10, 2010 at 9:41 PM EDT

(Story Updated: Jul 10, 2010 at 11:56 PM EDT )
DALLAS, NC - Today, it’s quiet outside the Gaston County home police say was the scene of a quadruple murder-suicide.

Investigators say 25-year-old Austen Minter shot and killed his pregnant girlfriend Tracy Hedgepath along with their six and three year old kids. A seven year old daughter was also shot and is in critical condition.

“It was just a big shock what happened, really, I mean because of the neighborhood and kids being involved,” said Gastonia resident Taquina Darby.

Darby is Minter’s cousin. She and other family members gathered today at their nearby home.

“Me personally, I just don't feel, I don't believe it was him that did it, he loved his kids, he was a good person,” Darby says.

Police and neighbors though tell quite a different story. Residents say it’s not the first time they’ve seen police respond to the house.

Cops say they’ve come here several times for incidents such as domestic violence, car theft, and burglary.

Darby says whatever happened was unfair to those who died.

“Especially to the kids, and then her being pregnant, three months pregnant,” she says.

In the front yard there are reminders of those who lived here, including bicycles and a tire swing.

Now hope turns to the one daughter who survived.

‘She was innocent, I just pray to God that she makes it,” Darby says.
http://www.foxcharlotte.com/news/local/Family-Members-Shocked-By-Murder-Suicide-98178199.html