Obituary says Samantha Humphrey lost ‘battle with evil itself’
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SCHENECTADY – While most 14-year-old’s typically have their names written on term papers or homework assignments, Samantha Humphrey’s name is published this week in a funeral home obituary.
Even though police haven’t yet declared publicly if a criminal act led to Samantha’s untimely death, public comments by family members clearly point in that direction.
Samantha’s father, Jeff Humphrey, told NewsChannel 13 he believes his daughter’s “murderers remain at large and remain a danger to the children of Schenectady.”
Now Samantha’s obituary continues that line of thought. The young girl “lost a short but ferocious battle with evil itself, and passed into infinity,” the death notice reads.
Samantha is further described as “a light in the dark, with talents, loves, and dreams.”
“Rest in power, Sam. Our love for you is far, far beyond measure.”
Samantha Humphrey’s Obituary
The intensive and exhaustive searches for the high school freshman have been well-chronicled since she went missing just over three months ago. There have been myriad air, land, and water searches along the Mohawk River after she was first reported missing the day after last Thanksgiving. She hadn’t been seen alive since reportedly getting into a physical altercation with an ex-boyfriend at Riverside Park on that fateful night.
Samantha Humphrey "lost a short but ferocious battle with evil itself, and passed into infinity," her obituary reads.
A fisherman spotted her body Feb. 22 near the location where police believe she was last seen. She was pulled from the water, and an autopsy concluded what everyone had suspected. The body was Samantha’s.
While the police investigation continues in full swing, Samantha’s family and friends are preparing to say goodbye. A brief memorial service is planned for Saturday at the Daly Funeral Home, 242 McClellan St., in Schenectady at 2 p.m. Visitation will follow until 4 p.m.
The final line of her obituary reads, “Rest in power, Sam. Our love for you is far, far beyond measure.”
Mourners are urged to wear black or purple attire at Saturday’s memorial service to match the theme of Samantha’s vigil and birthstone.
Even though flowers are appreciated, a donation to the Animal Protective Foundation would also align with Samantha’s love for animals.
After cremation, the family plans to scatter Samantha’s ashes on selected ocean beaches that she loved and misses.