Family, friends and neighbours gathered in Morris Park in West Philadelphia on Sunday to remember 10-year-old Malayshia Alford, whose body was found in the boot of a car in New Jersey after a 10-day search.
The gathering, known as “May May Day”, was held close to the home on North Simpson Street where Malayshia had been living. Attendees lit candles, shared food and clothing, and offered support to her biological family as they mourned her death. ([cbsnews.com](https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/malayshia-alford-may-may-day-philadelphia/))
Relatives said they wanted Malayshia to be remembered for her personality and smile rather than the circumstances of her death. Her uncle, Nafis Horne, said the turnout had helped the family cope with the loss.
“This is keeping the family positive with all the love we are getting from the community from people who didn’t even know my niece,” Mr Horne told CBS Philadelphia.
Malayshia was a pupil at Robert E Lamberton Public School and had been reported missing from West Philadelphia on October 26. Philadelphia police and the FBI joined the search, which ended when her body was discovered on November 4 at an apartment complex in Lindenwold, New Jersey.
The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office said a medical examiner had determined that she died from blunt force trauma and ruled the death a homicide. Investigators said surveillance footage showed her body being removed from the North Simpson Street property and placed in a vehicle. ([phillyda.org](https://phillyda.org/news/district-attorney-larry-krasner-officials-announce-charges-against-defendant-carprice-williams-for-brutal-murder-of-10-year-old-malayshia-alford/))
Her foster mother, 36-year-old Carprice Williams, has been charged with murder, abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence and other offences. She has been ordered to remain in custody without bail and denies no charges in the proceedings. ([phillyda.org](https://phillyda.org/news/district-attorney-larry-krasner-officials-announce-charges-against-defendant-carprice-williams-for-brutal-murder-of-10-year-old-malayshia-alford/))
Questions over Malayshia Alford’s foster placement
The vigil also became a platform for questions about how Malayshia came to be placed in foster care and whether earlier concerns about Williams were properly investigated.
Philadelphia police and prosecutors are seeking records from the city’s Department of Human Services and private agencies involved in the placement, according to reports. Officials have said confidentiality laws limit what can be disclosed while the criminal investigation continues. ([cbsnews.com](https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/malayshia-alford-carprice-williams-investigation-foster-care/?intcid=CNR-02-0623))
Mr Horne said the family would continue to press for accountability, while other speakers called for stronger safeguards for children in foster care.
“This shouldn’t happen to another kid,” he said. “It’s sad that it happened to my niece, but changes are coming.”
