Family of slain Adelanto woman gathers to mourn
Overcome by grief and aching for answers, a family came to a dirt slope Tuesday to see where Sylvanna Lewis died.
The 27-year-old woman, who was pregnant with twins, moved from Las Vegas to Adelanto eight months ago seeking a better life for herself and her 4-year-old daughter.
Lewis' body was discovered Friday at the end of Mallory Street, just across from the Lytle Creek Wash. An autopsy has not yet been conducted to determine whether she was shot or stabbed.
No arrests have been made.
The 27-year-old woman, who was pregnant with twins, moved from Las Vegas to Adelanto eight months ago seeking a better life for herself and her 4-year-old daughter.
Lewis' body was discovered Friday at the end of Mallory Street, just across from the Lytle Creek Wash. An autopsy has not yet been conducted to determine whether she was shot or stabbed.
No arrests have been made.
"She was a young, free-spirited woman. She liked to have fun and party
all the time," said Lewis' aunt, Connie Law. "She is missed terribly."
Fourteen family members used pictures provided by San Bernardino County sheriff's detectives to find the exact spot where Lewis' body was found.
That's where they set up a makeshift memorial of stuffed animals, hand-written messages and a cross adorned with flowers.
Dressed in pink and white, 4-year-old Kebyonan Berry stood on the dirt slope where her mother was found four days earlier and recited a prayer her mother had taught her.
"If I (should) die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take," Kebyonan recited with the help of her grandmother and aunt.
The family brought pictures of Lewis doing what she loved best: listening to music, hanging with friends and spending time with her daughter.
They took the photographs of better days home with them so they could have something to remind them of the lively woman who lit up their lives.
Detectives are still trying to determine the circumstances of Lewis' death. It is unknown whether she was killed near the wash or whether her body was dumped there.
Anyone with information is asked call sheriff's homicide detectives at (909) 387-3589. Anonymous tipsters can call (800) 78-CRIME.
Staff writer Jason Pesick contributed to this report.
stacia.glenn@inlandnewspapers.com
Fourteen family members used pictures provided by San Bernardino County sheriff's detectives to find the exact spot where Lewis' body was found.
That's where they set up a makeshift memorial of stuffed animals, hand-written messages and a cross adorned with flowers.
Dressed in pink and white, 4-year-old Kebyonan Berry stood on the dirt slope where her mother was found four days earlier and recited a prayer her mother had taught her.
"If I (should) die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take," Kebyonan recited with the help of her grandmother and aunt.
The family brought pictures of Lewis doing what she loved best: listening to music, hanging with friends and spending time with her daughter.
They took the photographs of better days home with them so they could have something to remind them of the lively woman who lit up their lives.
Detectives are still trying to determine the circumstances of Lewis' death. It is unknown whether she was killed near the wash or whether her body was dumped there.
Anyone with information is asked call sheriff's homicide detectives at (909) 387-3589. Anonymous tipsters can call (800) 78-CRIME.
Staff writer Jason Pesick contributed to this report.
stacia.glenn@inlandnewspapers.com
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