PHOTOS: Hundreds Attend Candlelight Vigil for Newland Road Victims

A few hundred people gathered Tuesday evening on the Peirce Elementary School basketball court for a candlelight vigil for Mei Kum Li and her infant twin sons, Colt and Cameron.

The somber crowd included members of Li’s family, her friends and co-workers, Arlington residents and public officials.

Li’s brother Ben, who addressed the crowd, said Li’s boys meant the world to her.

“All she wanted in life was to be a mom,” he said. “ … I want everyone to remember her as a great sister, a great daughter and even a more awesome mom.”

Mei Kum Li, 43, and her infant twin sons, Colt and Cameron, were found dead Monday, Nov. 18, along with Scott Jones, her husband and the boys’ father, in their first-floor condo at 45 Newland Road.

Authorities have not announced the cause and manner of the deaths, as they’re awaiting autopsy results. They have said that it was an isolated incident and that there is no threat to the public. They are also not looking for any additional suspects.

Tuesday would’ve been the boys' first birthday.

“There wasn’t supposed to be dozens of candles tonight,” said Michael Zonghetti, a minister and Li’s friend. “There was supposed to be one candle, on the birthday cake for Colt and Cameron, with Mei smiling in their presence.”

Zonghetti said he was touched by all of the support shown on a cold, rainy evening.

“Your presence here tonight is a testament to the goodness of humanity, to the greatness of humanity,” he said.

Li’s ex-husband Matt Fulton, a musician, sang John Lennon’s “Imagine,” Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here,” and asked the crowd to join him for “Stand by Me.”

Sarah Schwartz, a Newland Road mother who organized the vigil, Laura Van Zandt, executive director of REACH, and Arlington Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine also spoke, along with one of Li’s longtime friends.

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan, Middlesex Sheriff Peter Koutoujian, State Sen. Ken Donnelly, State Rep. Sean Garballey and Arlington Police Chief Frederick Ryan attended the vigil, among other public officials.

At the request of Li’s family, donations in her memory may be made to REACH, a nonprofit that supports victims of abuse and works to prevent domestic violence (REACH’s donation page).

Continuing coverage of Monday’s deaths on Newland Road >>