MARION COUNTY, Fla. – A small memorial was set up Thursday outside of the Summerfield home where Casei Jones, 32, and her four children lived.
Stuffed animals, balloons and flowers occupied a spot in the grass where people dropped off tokens of affection.
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The makeshift memorial was organized by Katrina Sesler after authorities announced they located the bodies of the Marion County mother and her children in Georgia.
"The main focus should be on Casei and her four children," Sesler said.
The tragic deaths are felt among people in the community, especially after investigators arrested Jones' husband, Michael Jones Jr., 38, and charged him with killing his wife. Charges for killing the children are expected after autopsies are completed.
Holly Turner, who was Casei Jones' co-worker and friend, said her grief is still raw.
"Every time I think about it, it just makes me cry," Turner said.
Turner said she knew the couple and was close to Casei Jones. She said the shocking twist in the investigation has left her heartbroken because her children were friends with Jones' children.
She said she cannot believe anyone would take their lives.
"I'm sorry. She was so sweet. She was so sweet and loving. She did everything for everybody," Turner said.
Some neighbors, like Lori Kunnert, who attended the memorial, stopped by to pay their respects and said they cannot believe what the children went through.
"That's horrible. That's horrible. It's disgusting. I don't even have words for what's going on here, I really don't," Kunnert said.
Authorities have not released a cause of death for the children or their mother but said they believe Michael Jones killed them over a month ago and kept their bodies in the home and van for weeks before he was caught while trying to dump them in Georgia.
Some friends said that they learned Michael Jones may have been making trips to Georgia to see someone else ahead of the family's disappearance.
Turner said she is still shocked after learning Michael Jones was charged in the case.
"I never knew this in him, never knew it, never even seen anything coming," Turner said.
Michael Jones is currently being held on a charge of second-degree murder in connection with his wife's death.
When Michael Jones is charged with the children's deaths he will have another first appearance, authorities said.
An arraignment in the case has been scheduled for Oct. 22 at 9 a.m.