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Family Of Maren Sanchez Thanks Community For ‘Outpouring Of Compassion’

By Kelly Glista, Hartford Courant MILFORD — After a week of vigils, services and memorials for 16-year-old Maren Sanchez, who was fatally stabbed at Jonathan La...

By Kelly Glista, Hartford Courant

MILFORD — After a week of vigils, services and memorials for 16-year-old Maren Sanchez, who was fatally stabbed at Jonathan Law High School last Friday, her family issued a statement thanking the community for their love and support.

“Our hearts are forever broken by the loss of our Maren,” the family said in a statement released Saturday. “The outpouring of compassion, support, and love from the community she touched during her life and in her passing has moved us deeply and has offered our family great comfort and solace during this difficult time.”

Hundreds of people gathered at the funeral home on Thursday to pay their respects to Sanchez. Local businesses filled their store windows with purple — her favorite color, according to classmates — and messages of love.

The school’s spring musical, “Little Shop of Horrors,” which opened Friday, was dedicated to Sanchez, an active member of the drama club who was set to perform in the production.

In their statement, her family thanked the students, parents, staff and faculty of Jonathan Law, as well as the town’s board of education, the police and the Knights of Columbus, among others.

“To the countless other businesses and individuals, who donated their time and resources, and every person, many completely unknown to us, who have reached out to offer their comfort and other support to us, we thank you all,” they said. “We wish that we could thank each of you individually.”

Sanchez was attacked the morning of April 25, hours before her junior prom. According to a police report, the attack happened about 7:10 a.m. at the base of a school stairwell. Another student at the school, Christopher Plaskon was arrested shortly thereafter.

Plaskon, also 16, has been charged with the murder in adult court. At his first court appearance on Friday, Plaskon stood quietly as a judge scheduled a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to go ahead with his prosecution. The probable cause hearing, as it’s called, is scheduled for June 4 in Superior Court.

According to the police report, Plaskon — his clothes and hands bloody — ended up in the principal’s office after the attack, where he told the school resource officer, “I did it. Just arrest me.”

Sanchez died of stab wounds to her torso and neck.

Milford police continue to investigate the homicide. Police have said they are checking reports that Sanchez had rejected a prom invitation from Plaskon. The prom, which had been scheduled for that night, was canceled, but is expected to be rescheduled.

Sanchez was an honors student and musician who loved photography. In addition to theater, Sanchez was active in student government and helped manage the school’s softball and swim teams, according to her obituary.

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