Guilderland vigil honors man killed Dec. 23

GUILDERLAND – Dozens of friends and family gathered to remember a man killed inside a home in Guilderland last Thursday.

Kentish Bennett’s friends are also calling for justice in what they say was an act of domestic violence.

Jason Seminary, 43, is charged with manslaughter in his death. Relatives say Bennett was dating seminary’s father.

Bennett was remembered for his vibrant and artistic personality.

"He could sense, he was like an empath. He could sense that people needed him," said his friend Mateo Phillips.

Friends lit candles, shared stories and released balloons on what would have been his birthday.

They say Bennett was a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, and that he was a natural-born drag performer.

As Kayla Stennet – his drag persona, Bennett took other performers under his wing and encouraged them to come out and embrace their sexuality, and live their true selves. They say he loved helping others reach their potential onstage and in their lives.

"Ken was very supportive in everything that I did. Without him, I wouldn’t be able to be myself. He got me out of my shell, he taught me so many things. He would always push me to try harder but not be his ideal version, to be myself, to be my best self," said Taylor Kelly, a friend who Bennett helped transition.

A GoFundMe has been set up by Bennett’s family to support his two kids.

Hear one friend explain Bennett’s helpful nature, by watching the video of Stella Porter’s story.