Supporters mark slain girl’s 10th birthday in Albuquerque

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Supporters of a girl who police say was raped and killed are holding a birthday party and memorial service in her honour.

Organizers say the party Sunday at Mariposa Basin Park in Albuquerque is meant to celebrate the birthday of Victoria Marten, who police say was drugged, raped and strangled before her body was dismembered the day before she turned 10.

Three people— including the girl’s mother and the mother’s boyfriend — have been arrested in the killing.

More than 2,000 people were expected at the party, according to the event’s Facebook page.

KOB-TV reports that people brought balloons and wore purple, a colour that Victoria liked, in her honour.

Frances Padilla came to the event, named Victoria’s Heavenly Birthday Party, with her two children, the TV station reported.

“They wanted to bring something of their own, something that was important to them to give to her classmates,” she said. “They completely understood, you know, the matter of she’s no longer here.”