'Please, somebody out there knows something'
Investigators say whoever hit Heather Trickler on May 31 knew exactly what happened, but drove off anyway. Police are still looking for the driver.
With justice still to be served and closure still to come, dozens gathered at the New Life Four Square Church on Thursday to say goodbye to the teen they called "Sweet Pea."
Trickler's broken-hearted father couldn't bring himself to look at her young, freckled face in the casket.
"Please, somebody out there knows something. Somebody saw something that can help us with closure," said Robin Trickler.
Heather Trickler was hit on her father's birthday.
"Somebody turned that profound act of love into the most vile experience of my life," said Robin Trickler.
Robin Trickler believes his 15 year old left her friend's home and hit a familiar route, walking along Highway 2 on her way to the birthday celebration in Lake Stevens. The last time Robin Trickler heard from his daughter was via voice message.
"It said, 'Daddy, pick up.' And I don't know if that message was delayed. That was the last I heard from my baby," he said.
Troopers say Heather Trickler's body lay on the side of the road, abandoned and undiscovered, for two days.
"Whoever did this could have at least stayed there until the cops showed up, or taken her to the hospital instead of just leaving her," said the victim's friend, Cecilia Perez.
Investigators believe the vehicle that hit the girl looks to be a bluish green General Motors model made between 1994 and 1999. They said the car likely suffered significant damage to the passenger side, possibly including a missing headlamp, antenna and side mirror.
Anyone with information on the case is urged to contact the Washington State Patrol immediately.