Out of Tragedy a Community of Love: Remembrance Held for Zent Family
By M. Todd Manuel
FWIS Contributing Writer
A little over one year ago, we all learned through the news of tragic murders of Sarah Zent and her three young children Carter, Ashton, and Aubree Zent here in Southeast Fort Wayne, IN. As we read about the tragedy, and watched for updates on the Zent case, most of us felt empathy and could not image what dealing with a personal loss of this magnitude would be like. A candlelight vigil and remembrance ceremony was held June 2, 2022 at the place where the Zent family once lived.
For many friends, neighbors, and family of the Zent family the last year has been difficult. Just last month, the accused perpetrator-- Cohen B. Hancz-Barron -- was found guilty by jury, with a recommended sentence of life without the possibility of parole. Still, no sentence or action can make up for the lives that were taken that day. Neighbors, family members, and many community organizations gathered together to share tears, hugs, and to show support. From the size of the crowd, you could tell that their legacies will live on with us forever.
The candlelight vigil, prayers, and words of remembrance began at 6pm. In a familiar place, catacorner to Whitney Young Elementary school, neighbors and family members were finishing up the final preparations for the event almost two full hours in advance. Both bittersweet and informal, the outside ceremony took place close to the city's Renaissance area. The attendees were from various area organizations such as the Ten Point Coalition, The Oxford Community Association and many biker groups as well as others. Riding together in solidarity and support, the Jingoes outlaws, The Hatchets, and the Tru Kings biker group showed up in droves. About 60 – 100 people gathered and all of the individuals there were either mothers, fathers, brothers, or sisters to someone like Sarah and her three beautiful young children.
Neighbors shared embraces. Bikers and community leaders shed tears and comforted others while the remembrance took place for lost lives. As media outlets arrived, you could see Sarah’s sister Brittney Jones making a yellow and black shirt with the names Sarah, Ashton, Aubree, and Carter on it. It was her personal creation that she was putting together, in a neighbor's garage. Along with Brittney, Sarah’s older sister Joselyn helped tremendously with the efforts to organize and share invitations to the event on social media.
Sarah’s mother Malanie Fields was saddened but overjoyed by all of the love and support she received from the community. Struggling with her words, Mrs. Zent just looked around with tears of gratitude in her eyes before uttering a simple “thank you,” to begin the ceremony. Following Mrs. Zent, other family members and friends took turns speaking on the life of the young children and their mother.
Crosses were displayed in the front yard with the children’s names on them; another cross for Sarah also. Flowers were placed at the foot of the cross and all over the property that once was once a home and safe place for Sarah and her children. And despite the fact it is not that now, it is clear that our community steps up when we need to. Although initiated by tragedy, love and community solidarity amongst mankind was at its best on Gay Street on that day, June 2, 2022.
After the event Brittney, Sarah’s sister, expressed her gratitude to both to her family members and to the entire community altogether: “it was amazing and very overwhelming with all the love and support everyone came together to show Sarah, Carter, Ashton and Aubree. The fact that everyone stopped their day or plans to come and keep their names alive was so amazing. I was lost for words honestly. I couldn't believe how many people came and showed their love and support for our blended family. Without the help of Katelyn Gustin (our cousin), I wouldn’t have been able to have shirts and decals made. We spent a lot of sleepless nights making shirts and putting the final piece together to make everything perfect for Sarah Carter, Ashton, and Aubree.” wrote Brittney Jones via text messaging.
Brittney also wanted to highlight the importance of embracing family, and to let go of grudges that might be held over petty differences of perspective. Unfortunately, at the time that Sarah and her children were lost, Brittney and Sarah were not on the best of terms. Brittney wants to take this opportunity to tell others how important it is to realize that life is short, and that tomorrow it not promised.
She explains that, “Don’t take you loved ones for granted, if you’re arguing with family member. Please make up, please let them know that you love them. Don’t waste time holding onto grudges. Time isn't promised and wish I would had put things aside. I just thought Sarah, Carter, Ashton, and Aubree had more time here on earth...”.
Sarah reiterated the importance of loving family, as she expressed deep gratitude to her community for their support. Although the loss to Sarah, Carter, Ashton, and Aubree was nightmare that we all would love to forget, through tragedy a masterpiece of who we are as a community has been captured. What was seen was nothing short of amazing: influx of love from a community that has been surviving on its strength for years to come. No matter what differences we all have, mothers came to support mothers, brothers came to support brothers, and sisters came to support sisters. Most importantly, the community came out to support one of its own.