500 attend vigil

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- About 500 people gathered on the campus of UNC-Charlotte Thursday night to remember Irina Yarmolenko.

Yarmolenko's body was found on Monday on the banks of the Catawba River in Mount Holly.

On Thursday, police said she died of asphyxiation, meaning she was suffocated.

"My family is really suffering," said Yarmolenko's brother, Pavel.

Pavel Yarmolenko attended the vigil on Thursday night. He said it helped to hear stories told by his sister's friends.

"This is the greatest therapy that ever existed," he said. "Those are the stories that will keep us alive."

Mount Holly Police are actively investigating Irina Yarmolenko's murder.

Police said on Thursday that Yarmelenko stopped at a credit union Monday morning before stopping by a coffee shop where she worked. That was the last time she was seen alive.

Police aren't saying if she was sexually assaulted, beaten, what evidence they found in her car or if she's on surveillance tape at the credit union.

Detectives said they are working several strong leads, plus questioning friends, classmates, co-workers, phone and Internet buddies.

"I think the detectives are becoming her best friends and we've learned to call her Ira," said Chief David Belk.

Police say time is of the essence since it's the end of the semester and students are heading home for the summer.

Police are asking anyone with information to call them at 704-827-4343.

Yarmolenko funeral is Saturday in Chapel Hill.