A candlelight vigil was held Friday afternoon at the corner of South Main Street and Jarrell Street in Picayune to remember the life of Justin Nixon, was found dead behind a home due to a gunshot wound on Feb. 28.

During the event, family members, friends and members of the community made their way to the spot where Nixon was found. After the candles were lit, participants held hands and took part in a prayer.

After the prayer concluded, everyone was handed a balloon, which they all released at the same time as a way to say goodbye to Nixon.

“I’m happy and glad that the Picayune Police Department have been able to arrest people involved in this case because there are so many murders that go unsolved,” Nixon’s aunt Sabrina Peters said.

According to previous coverage, Nixon was involved in a physical altercation with his cousin, Malcolm Nixon, 27, of 304 Jarrell St., a day before his body was found.

After further investigation into the murder of Justin Nixon, officials with the Picayune Police Department arrested three individuals they believe were involved in the murder. Those individuals include, Malcolm Nixon, Malcolm’s girlfriend, 21-year-old Ashlyn Cheramie and his mother, 65-year-old Mahala Burkett.

According to previous coverage, Picayune Police Department Assistant Chief Jeremy Magri said Malcolm is being held on a $1 million bond for the charge of first degree murder while Cheramie is being held on a $100,000 bond for the charge of hindering prosecution. Burkett is being held on two charges, hindering prosecution and accessory before the fact of murder, each of which includes a bond of $100,000.

“I want to say thank you to everyone in the community for coming together and helping us get through this hard time.” Justin’s aunt Schawanda Nixon said. “We hope the people involved in this case are found guilty and we also started the hashtag #JusticeforJustin online. We appreciate everyone’s support.”