Family and friends gathered to remember Elaine Nix, whose murder in 1999 remains unsolved, Tuesday night at Memorial Park in Gainesville on the 16-year anniversary of when her body was found. The candle-light vigil also included the release of green, white and purple balloons.

The balloons had Sharpie-written messages including “Always in our heart,” “Never forgotten,” “We will never give up!” and “Still missing you 16 years too long.”

Nix was 18 when she was found dead in Gwinnett County on Sept. 29, 1999, a little more than a week after being last seen at a convenience store pay phone on Candler Road.

Marylana Nix, Elaine Nix’s niece, sang Francesca Battistelli’s “Holy Spirit,” and friend Jennifer Boyd said those who were close to Nix will never stop hoping the case is solved or remembering Elaine Nix.

Another friend thanked new faces for coming out to honor Elaine Nix’s memory.

Before the event, Boyd said “Elaine deserves justice” and that her family and friends do, too. Boyd said she wants people to know a killer is still out there and what happened to her friend could happen again. She added that the passion of two nieces and a nephew who never met Elaine Nix inspire Boyd and the family.

“That’s what keeps us going,” Boyd said. “It could easily be one of them one day.”