Whether it was for her beaming smile, her contagious giggle or her pure heart, Queensland teenager Jayde Kendall left a lasting impression on all those who knew her.
"For 16 years, I've had the pleasure of being Jayde's father and watched her grow from a newborn into the promising young girl she had worked so hard to become," Bruce Morrissey told hundreds who gathered at a memorial service in Gatton on Thursday.
He said his daughter wanted to become a psychologist and had already mapped out her path in life.
To him, she had become a pillar of strength following the death of her mother.
Mr Morrissey marvelled at her ability to return home smiling after a full day of school and work, yet still be able to help her younger brother without a second thought.
Jayde was "the purest beacon of guiding light", her aunt Jennifer Morrissey said.
"She was the magnet that drew us all together and kept us connected."
School friends broke down as they recalled the times they shared together.
"She positively influenced my life in so many ways and I will miss her with all my heart," Melanie Alush told the service.
Friend Lorena Huggins, who met Jayde through her own young daughter, described the "beautiful soul" as a girl who never took anything for granted, adored her family, and treasured everything she had.
Jayde's many aspirations were cut short last month when she disappeared, sparking a frantic search of the Lockyer Valley.
Her body was found in a paddock two weeks later.
School friend Brenden Jacob Bennetts has been charged with her murder.
Mr Morrissey said his daughter often put her trust in people she thought needed help.
"If we are to learn from this, I think the message will be for young people everywhere to fully understand what they do and the decisions that they make, and how these decisions impact not just on their own lives but the lives of those around them," he said.
Family, friends, colleagues, students, detectives and SES officers all watched as Jayde's family released purple balloons into the brooding Queensland skyline.
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