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UVA Lacrosse Death: Hundreds Gather at Funeral to Celebrate Life of Yeardley Love

Yeardley Love (UVA Media Relations)

TOWSON, Md. (CBS/AP) Friends, family, and teammates gathered Saturday to mourn and celebrate the life of slain University of Virginia lacrosse player Yeardley Love. The 90-minute funeral service was held in Baltimore at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen.

PICTURES: Yeardley Love Murdered; George Huguely Charged

Throughout the ceremony, those close to Love could not believe that such a promising young life had ended so abruptly and so violently.

Despite the circumstances, Mary Logan, a family friend, said, "It was a wonderful tribute to a loving girl."

Logan said that she "couldn't help but think: She's so young. She was only 22-years-old. We should have been here for a wedding not her funeral."

Some of the most meaningful words came from Love, herself, in an essay that she wrote for her freshman year at Notre Dame Prep in Baltimore.

The essay which was included in the funeral program said: "If I had to wish for three things in my life, they would be to go to University of Virginia for college, have a happy and healthy family when I grow up, and to always keep in touch and stay close with my family. So far my life has been filled with joy and happiness, and I hope to keep living my life that way."

Love's life was cut short when she was allegedly murdered by her ex-boyfriend George Huguely. Her body was discovered May 3 by police who had come to the UVA student's apartment thinking they were responding to an alcohol overdose; however, when police arrived they noticed Love's body had signs of physical trauma.

Within hours of the incident, Huguely was taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder.

Huguely told police that he and Love had an altercation in which he shook Love and her head repeatedly hit the wall. The investigation is still underway, but police have reportedly recovered a red-stained UVA lacrosse shirt, Love's computer, and numerous pieces of evidence from Huguely's apartment.

MEDIA:
PICTURES: Yeardley Love Murdered; George Huguely Charged

MORE ON CRIMESIDER:
May 7, 2010 - UVA Lacrosse Death: School Not Aware of George Huguely's Violent PastMay 7, 2010 - UVA Lacrosse Death: Friends Say George Huguely "Out of Control" When Drinking, Says ReportMay 7, 2010 - UVA Lacrosse Death: Yeardley Love Funeral to be Held in BaltimoreMay 6, 2010 - UVA Lacrosse Death: Murder Suspect George Huguely Had Run-Ins With Law in Florida, Says Report
May 6, 2010 - UVA Lacrosse Death: Police Find Bloody T-Shirt and Letter to Yeardley Love in Huguely's Apartment, Says Report
May 6, 2010 - Lacrosse Death: Candlelight Vigil for Yeardley Love Brings Thousands Together
May 5, 2010 - UVA Lacrosse Death: George Huguely's Neighbor Describes Suspect in Murder of Yeardley Love
May 5, 2010 - UVA Lacrosse Death: Campus Vigil to be Held for Yeardley Love
May 5, 2010 - UVA Lacrosse Death: George Huguely Tasered During 2008 Arrest, Say Police
May 4, 2010 - UVA Lacrosse Death: Huguely Admits He "Shook Love and Her Head Repeatedly Hit a Wall," Says Court Document
May 4, 2010 - Yeardley Love's Death Was "Accident," Says UVA Lacrosse Player George Huguely's Lawyer
May 3, 2010 - UVA Lacrosse Death: Community Reacts to Death of Yeardley Love
May 3, 2010 - Yeardley Love Murder: Fellow UVA Lacrosse Player George Huguely Charged

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