LEE COUNTY, Fla. — Tonight over 35 people from the Cascades at River Hall neighborhood gathered together, lit candles, shared memories and prayed for Brian Hemmert. 

They said he was much more than just someone who lived next door.

“He was a member of our community that we loved, he’s part of the family,” they said.

Detectives said Jake Hemmert killed his father, Brian, then stuffed his body in a freezer.

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“His life ended in a very tragic way, but we know he’s in heaven,” they said.

Jake claimed he was only fulfilling his father’s suicide request, but neighbors aren’t buying that.

“He knew suicide was not something that would please God… that was something he would have never done,” neighbors said.

Tonight they aren’t focusing on how Brian died, but how he lived.

“He served our country in the Navy, he was a good person, he would probably do anything for anyone,” said Greg Edgecomb.

Brian moved into the Cascades at River Hall neighborhood in 2016. Over the last seven years, he and his neighbors grew close, like family.

“He was like a brother to me, Brian and I got to do a Bible study together for two years,” said a neighbor.

Brian was a strong Christian, loved sports and was always smiling while riding his bike and listening to rock music.

“We’ll miss seeing him racing by on his bicycle and running out of his way!” said Donna Rizzo and Jeanne Collins.

Brian also frequently visited the neighborhood pool.

Together they lit candles, shared memories and said tonight might be the only time they get to say goodbye.

“It’s like a mini funeral, we didn’t have any kind of closure cause there’s no service to go,” said Edgecomb.

The vigil ended with two prayers. One for Brian and the other for his son, Jake.

“I think Brian would also want us to pray for his son, I want to pray for Jake,” someone said.

“It’s hard, God commands us to love our enemies and not that Jake’s our enemy but if he killed his father and it looks like that, we are commanded to pray for him,” said Collins.

Jake Hemmert is still sitting in the Lee County Jail, waiting to go on trial for the murder of his father. His next court date is October 16.