Memorial service held for former Edmonton resident killed in North Carolina

Published Saturday July 19th, 2008

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

RALEIGH, N.C. - The family and friends of a former Edmonton resident slain in North Carolina held a public memorial service Saturday to mourn the 34-year-old woman whose body was found Monday near her home.

Local TV station WRAL reported that Nancy Cooper's two young daughters Bela, four, and Katie, two, carried a bouquet of roses and pictures of the girls and their mother were displayed on stage, with a large, white floral display between them.

Bradley Cooper, the victim's husband, did not attend the memorial service.

Nancy Cooper's parents said earlier this week that the family's pain would only subside if her killer came forward and confessed.

Her body was found Monday at a construction site about five kilometres from her home in Cary, a Raleigh suburb. Bradley Cooper, told police that she went jogging on Saturday and he had not seen her since.

The family was granted temporary custody of the girls this week after filing an emergency petition. Nancy Cooper's parents and sister argued that Bradley Cooper was having an affair, is emotionally unstable and posed a danger to the children.

Bradley Cooper's lawyers have not directly commented on the custody issue, and police said the issue was private. His lawyers have said he is devastated by his wife's death and will continue to assist police as they investigate.

About 200 people attended the ceremony. Some of them said they did not know Cooper but had been moved by her death.

"I just couldn't get Nancy and her family out of my head," Nancy Ranta, of Apex, told WRAL. "I just wanted to come and show my respect. I just feel so sad for them and their loss. It's so unfair".

Authorities have not named any suspects in Nancy Cooper's death and have not released any details about how she died.

Bradley Cooper's lawyer has said his client is innocent and has co-operated fully with police.

The victim's family will have a second service in Edmonton on Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church.

-With files from The Caandian Press.

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