TAMPA, Fla. — A vigil was held Monday night to remember one of the victims of a triple murder in Hillsborough County last week.
- Xavier Greene, Haley Stone, Derek Archie found inside burning house
- Deputies: Victims likely killed, then house set on fire
- More than 100 people showed up at the vigil
The bodies of Xavier Greene, 28, Haley Stone, 20, and Derek Archie, 31, were found inside a burning house in the Palm River-Clair Mel neighborhood on Thursday.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, they died of "upper body trauma," and it's likely the house was set on fire to cover it up.
More than 100 people gathered at Winston Park to sing hymns, pray, and light candles for Greene.
"It's hard when somebody dies, but especially somebody that you know close up, you talk to on a daily basis, it's hard," said one man who said he was a friend.
Greene was known in the area as a hip-hop artist and songwriter.
His cousin, Tracy Jenkins, said he was talented and trying to make a name for himself.
"He had a bright future, a bright future," she said.
Jenkins said Greene's music brought people together. She said his impact was evident by the large turnout at the vigil.
"That's just an affirmation of who he was and how he carried himself. You see all races and creeds and colors here," Jenkins said. "You know, he was a unifier to bringing all these people together. So that really spoke volumes for me."
The group also did a balloon release.
The sheriff's office has not released a motive for the crime.