By KALEY CONNER

kconner@dailynews.net

As a homicide investigation concerning the death of a Great Bend teenager continues, many Hays residents who were close to the family are grieving for the child they once knew, and for a life cut short.

Alicia DeBolt grew up in Hays, and the family attended Celebration Community Church. The 14-year-old's death has been difficult for the congregation, Pastor Kyle Ermoian said.

"She was a darling little girl, who would run into my arms every time I saw her at church," he said. "It did come as a great shock to so many people."

The family also has ties to Smith County. DeBolt's stepfather, Danny Conrad, was a graduate of Smith Center High School and formerly lived in Gaylord.

DeBolt's burned body was found Aug. 24 at an asphalt plant near Great Bend. She had been missing since she left her home at about 11 p.m. Aug. 21.

Funeral services are set for today in Great Bend; Ermoian has been asked to officiate. About 2,000 people gathered Sunday for vigil services to remember DeBolt, who would have been a freshman at Great Bend High School and a member of the cheerleading squad.

Ermoian said the family contacted him the day the body was found, though it had not yet been identified. Community support has been a source of comfort for the DeBolt family, which has requested privacy to grieve, he said.

"The idea that a couple thousand people came out to the prayer vigil that took place in Great Bend on Sunday night was helpful for them," he said. "They hope ... that people can learn from it in regards to young people honestly communicating with parents in regards to where they're going and who they're going with. They want to be an encouragement to others so we can avoid any tragedy like this in the future."

Congregation member Corinia Hilton said she remembers DeBolt as an active, happy child who enjoyed ballet and gymnastics. DeBolt's death has been especially difficult for the Hilton family -- Corinia's teenage daughter was a close friend, she said.

"It's going to be a great loss," Hilton said. "It's just a shock. It's hard to put into words what a person really feels about the whole situation ... A situation like this makes you so much more conscientious of your own children, what they're doing and who they're with."