Christina Grimmie's Brother Marcus Speaks Out at Slain Sister's Vigil
"She's in a better place," he said to hundreds of fans, friends and family.
— -- Christina Grimmie's brother, Marcus Grimmie,
addressed friends and family Monday night at a vigil for his sister in her New Jersey hometown, days after "The Voice" star was shot and killed in Orlando.
The singer, who was shot to death Friday at age 22, was honored in Evesham Township with hundreds of people, including Mayor Randy Brown, in attendance, according to videos posted online.
"Christina was awesome ... She loved singing, she loved the Lord, and she loved me, and she was just my baby sister," her brother told the crowd.
Marcus Grimmie, who wrote on Facebook on Sunday that singer Adam Levine had offered to pay for his sister's funeral, also addressed the shooting that took place hours later at a gay nightclub in the same city where his sister died.
"About 4 miles away from where we were staying, there was a huge tragedy to Orlando, to the U.S., to the LGBT community and to the whole world. I mean, 50 people dead, who knows who's injured? ... I have no words. All of those people that died and are suffering," he said at the vigil, adding that he had people fly out to support him and is thankful for all who helped after his sister's slaying.
He continued, "We're blessed ... I'm in a great peace right now. She's in a better place ... You guys didn't know her like I did, and she was awesome, so thank you," he said, pointing his finger to the sky.
In addition to Levine's offer, Christina Grimmie's manager, Brian Teefey, started a GoFundMe page in her honor to help the family out. It has raised nearly $150,000.
"I'm so blown away by everything right now. But all I can say is thank you. And Christina will be missed and never ever forgotten," Marcus Grimmie wrote of all the donations in his Sunday Facebook post.