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Vigil honors slain Simsbury woman

FARMINGTON— More than 100 people gathered  Sunday afternoon to honor 54 year old Melissa Millan of Simsbury. The popular Mass Mutual insurance executive w...

FARMINGTON--- More than 100 people gathered  Sunday afternoon to honor 54 year old Melissa Millan of Simsbury.

The popular Mass Mutual insurance executive was found dead on Thursday,  the mother of two and a dedicated athlete was remembered by family, friends, fellow athletes and co-workers.

Those in attendance gathered on the sandy beach of Dunning Lake at the Winding Trails Recreation area in Farmington Sunday evening to share memories and kind words of Mellisa Millan.

"She made you feel like you were the most important person when she was talking to you, and when she was thinking about you," said Lynne Tapper,

Millan was described as a "pillar" among her friends with "Team Training New England"--- the group trained together for triathlons and other competitive races.

Millan joined the team in 2006, often training with teammates at Winding Trails.

"Everytime she walked into our training sessions, I smiled just to know she was there," said Tapper, a coach with Team Training New England.

On Iron Horse Boulevard in Simsbury where Millan's body was found has turned into a memorial, which grows larger with every flower bouquet.

"The mood is a somber and everybody has seem to come together as a community to rally behind and find out and what happened," said Simsbury resident Kate Ruppar.

The tragedy still haunts many in this small, affluent town, the kind of place where everyone looks out for one another.

"You can`t go anywhere without hearing about it either," said Simsbury resident Hayes Martin,

Simsbury Police are continuing to maintain increased presence near the popular running and biking trail near where Millan was killed.

"I think twice, I run everyday and I want to make sure I'm safe and everybody else is. It's really difficult," said Ruppar.

Police continue to look for clues in this homicide case, as others looking for closure.

"It's a huge huge loss and it`s senseless. I don`t know what to do with those feelings," said Tapper.

Police ask that anyone who was in the area of Iron Horse Boulevard between 7 and 8 p.m. Thursday, and might have seen anything, call Simsbury detectives at 860-658-3145.

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