(NewsNation) — The Juneau, Alaska, community is mourning the loss of 16-year-olds Leotis Phillips and Zoey Clark after they were found dead in the woods with a gun on Monday.
"I can't imagine the pain they were in to make this decision," Ariah Clark, a cousin of Zoey Clark, said at a candlelight vigil Tuesday, according to the Juneau Independent. The outlet reported that more than 150 friends, family and teachers gathered at Clark's high school for the vigil, near where the teens' bodies were found.
Grand Canyon flood victims identified as third hiker remains missing
"The only comfort I think any of us can find at this point is that they weren't alone and they found peace in those last moments together," Clark added. "They wouldn't want any of us to continue to suffer because that was not their goal and intention."
The Juneau Police Department said the teens appeared to have died from gunshot wounds after warning in their initial announcement that they could have a firearm. The teens' bodies were found together in a wooded area in the state's capital city just hours after they were reported missing Monday morning.
Virginia representative describes search for missing Americans in Nepal-China flood
The Zach Gordon Youth Center, a place where the Juneau Independent reported that Phillips spent time, posted on Facebook that it is "deeply saddened by the tragic loss of two of our precious teens," and provided resources for suicide prevention support.
"If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please get help," the center wrote. "Call or text 988 and please tell an adult."
NewsNation's Josie Fischels contributed to this report.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.