RIVER FALLS, Wis. (KMSP) -
Hundreds gathered for a memorial service Tuesday night to remember the three little girls from River Falls who were brutally murdered by their father.
A visitation at the Kilkarney Hill Golf Course started at 4 p.m. and was followed by a memorial service at 7 p.m. to remember 11-year-old Amara, 8-year-old Sophie and 5-year-old Cecilia.
The Schaffhausen sisters were found dead, tucked in their beds at their mother's home last Tuesday. Their father, Aaron Schaffhausen is accused of killing all three girls by slitting their throats.
On Tuesday, the girls' great-uncle, Flint Watt spoke on behalf of the family.
"We are trying very hard not to have any feelings toward him whatsoever," says Watt. "Tonight, the focus is on the girls and the family and dealing with their grief."
People who attended the memorial told FOX 9 News there was not a dry eye in the house. Hundreds of pictures of the girls were seen, music they loved was played, and mourners participated in a balloon release in their honor. Watt said the family is thankful for all the support.
"They are struggling. It's tough sometimes, the thing that gets us the most is when people are sympathetic -- come up and say something nice. The community has been just unbelievable, they can't do enough for us," he said. "It's special. It's unfortunate it takes a tragedy like this to demonstrate it, but it's there."
The family plans to have a private funeral at a later date once the bodies of the girls are released by investigators.
