Vigil for woman stabbed to death in Winter Haven

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – A candlelight vigil was held Saturday night in memory of 26-year-old Angel Snell, a woman who was stabbed to death in late July.

Family and friends said that even though Snell is not here with them, her cheerful spirit can still be felt as they gather to pay their respects.

“She was a great woman, a great mother, she always had a smile on her face,” said Angel’s aunt.

Her mother, Cherie Smith, said she was heartbroken but her daughter's smile could not be taken away.

“She would always say, 'Mommy, I gave that lady my shoes. Mommy, I gave that lady my pants. Mommy, I gave that lady my shirt.' She was a really happy, loving girl,” Smith said.

Many say they see that in Snell's five-year-old son, Al-Honesty Snell. Al-Honesty came to the vigil dressed in purple, her mother's favorite color, and carrying a giant picture of her mother.

“And even my face in the background,” said Al-Honesty Snell.

“She's already saying she wants to finish her education, go to college and buy a car. I'm going to impress that on her,” Smith said.

She also wants to remind them what a fighter and how strong Snell was. Winter Haven police have arrested 21-year-old Kenneth Forseyth.

Forseyth was booked into the Polk County Jail and faces charges of second-degree murder, making false statements to a police officer and destroying or tampering with evidence.

During questioning, Forseyth said, according to police, that he had started a small fire. Snell approached him and an argument broke out between the two.

At the time, police said Forseyth stabbed Snell multiple times, but Smith believes more people were involved.

“I still believe that many of us believe there is more to it,” Smith said.

“You can’t hide from God, and you can’t hide from Mom,” Al-Honesty said.

Snell's mother said that during this painful time, it was the love around her that helped her carry on.

“We are with her forever, darling. As long as we carry her memory with us, each of us carries a little piece of her memory with us, because she will never die,” Snell said.