A prayer vigil was held Friday for slain Columbia High School student Erin Schneider, 17, who was found dead inside a home at 237 South Riebeling Street early Thursday afternoon. The case remains under investigation.

 More than 60 members of the community attended the vigil held at Immaculate Conception Church in Columbia, including friends, family and classmates of Schneider.

“She was a really good person. She didn’t do anything bad,” said Anelise Mize, one of Schneider’s friends. “It was a shock to everybody who knew her. And it’s heartbreaking because we never saw anything like this was going to happen.”

Mize described Schneider as very artistic.

“She was creative. She had lots of close friends,” she said.

Erin Schneider

An autopsy was conducted Friday; results were not announced as of this writing, but media outlets were anticipating a Friday evening news conference.“We’re very sad that she’s gone,” Columbia School District Assistant Superintendent Beth Horner said.

She described Schneider as quiet, reserved and very much into art.

“She was very well liked by her peers and (CHS) faculty,” Horner said.

Visitation for Schneider is set for 3 to 8 p.m. Sunday and 9 to 10 a.m. Monday at Quernheim Funeral Home, Waterloo. Funeral services will take place 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home.

To read more about the investigation, pick up a copy of this week’s paper — out Wednesday. Or subscribe online today.