UPDATE: Community celebration of Maddy Middleton’s life to be held in Santa Cruz

UPDATE 8/5/15: A community celebration of Madyson Middleton’s life will be held Sunday, August 23 at 3:00 p.m. at Kaiser Permanente Arena in Santa Cruz, according to the Santa Cruz Warriors.

The announcement made Wednesday said Maddy’s family, the Tannery Arts Center and the Santa Cruz Warriors are working together to create a program for the celebration.

PREVIOUS STORY: More than 24 hours after the body of Madyson Middleton was found, people gathered at West Cliff and John Street Tuesday night for a candlelight vigil.

A community heartbroken over the loss of one of its own. The death of 8-year-old Maddy has rocked Santa Cruz.

“It’s even more terrifying knowing, to have kids, that there’s someone out there in a town you grew up in, you raised, you played,” Santa Cruz resident Carlos Nunez said.

Born and raised in Santa Cruz, Nunez said as a father this incident hits close to home. And he’s not alone. Since Middleton was first reported on Sunday, the Santa Cruz community rushed in to help.

“It’s never been a community where people are selfish. Everyone kind of helps everyone. That’s how I feel. That how I see,” Nunez said.

‘Remember Maddy’ signs are now posted all over downtown. Together local businesses and residents have been taking down the old ‘missing’ signs – a tough reminder for family and friends that Maddy isn’t coming home.

Meanwhile her accused killer, a 15 year old boy who lives at the same complex as Maddy’s family and someone police said knew the girl, is now facing murder charges.

“Makes me wonder how a fifteen year old boy could be brought up in such a fashion, so desensitized that he could, you know kill an eight year old of whatever motive,” Riley McShane said, a neighbor of the Middleton’s.

But for now its a time to gather to lean on each other and grieve for Maddy. The little girl who touch so many hearts in the community.