Community members and family united in grief yesterday at a vigil to pay their respects to Jennaleah Hin, the 17-year-old from Henderson whose life came to a tragic and premature end. The vigil for the Foothill High School senior was held near the intersection of Spanish Needle Street and Desert Sunflower Circle, as reported by News3LV. Mourners adorned a memorial marker with flowers, candles, and messages of remembrance.
Jennaleah's mother, Jennifer Swanson, was among those addressing the gathering. "You never know how much a child is hurting," she conveyed, a sentiment reflecting the deep loss felt by the family. The crowd, which included students and families from Foothill High School, honored the teen's memory with roses and candlesticks, as stated by the Review-Journal.
Jenna, as she was affectionately known, was last seen leaving her home on December 30, 2024, following what was described as a minor family dispute. Her body was discovered on January 5 by the Henderson Police Department, and the subsequent investigation by the Clark County Coroner's Office revealed the cause of death to be suicide by gunshot. Volunteers from organizations such as Red Rock Search and Rescue and Southern Nevada Off Road Recovery, who had joined the days-long search for Jenna, also attended to honor her memory.
Hina Hin, Jennaleah's father, thanked those who dedicated themselves to the search and subsequent support for the family. "Jenna was a loving soul who simply wanted to be loved," he said in a statement communicated by News3LV. During the vigil, details regarding the events leading up to her disappearance and the discovery of her body were to not extensively discussed in public statements, as the family chose instead to focus on her life and memory.
The Henderson Police Department has yet to comment further, stating that the investigation remains open, according to both News3LV and Review-Journal. A GoFundMe has been established to assist with funeral costs, providing a means for the community to offer additional support. For those in need of emotional support, resources such as the Lifeline network (988) and the Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741) are available around the clock.
