Somber, yet happy memorial for woman killed in Panama

ST. PETERSBURG BEACH, Fla. - It looked like a party, and in some ways, it was a party.

At the Don Cesar Resort Hotel, on the Sunset Pavillion, there was laughter when some shared stories about their good friend, Cheryl Hughes.

The woman was murdered in Panama, where she'd lived for the last decade.

Authorities arrested William Holbert and his wife. Officials say Holbert admitted to shooting and killing Hughes, as well as four others.

A family member told ABC Action News Saturday night that officials say there may be eleven murders connected to Holbert.

Jen Hodecker, Hughes’ niece said "I'm still really mad. Trying to get over it, but still really mad."

Though Hughes was killed in the place she called paradise, it was fitting that she was remembered along a beautiful beach.

"For something like this to happen to somebody like Cher, it's just so not fair," said Troy Killius, a longtime friend who was her neighbor in Gulfport before she moved to Panama in 2000.

As the sun went down, orchids were picked up and so were several pink and white balloons.

Then, into the water, they went, clearly missing Cheryl's huge presence.

When asked about what she missed most about her aunt, Hodecker said "Not being able to see her smile. The lovingness. I miss that I didn't get to give her a hug."

Killius tearfully talked about how he and his family had spent countless days with Hughes. "Things we did and adventures we went on. From now until the day I die, I'll remember them stories. I'll never forget that. It's just how she was. She touched your soul."