IT was supposed to be a night of pre-Christmas cheer at a fundraising concert, but it ended in unimaginable tragedy.
Rebecca Wild, an innocent, much-loved and respected 16-year-old, went to the Port Pirie West Primary School concert with friends on Tuesday night to enjoy a sausage sizzle and end-of-year celebrations in Memorial Park.
At the end of it she had made what turned out to be a fatal decision to meet up with an ex-boyfriend, several friends posted on Facebook.
About 24 hours later, she was found dead at the Quorn Cemetery, more than 100km from where she was last seen.
Just 4km from where Ms Wild was buried in a shallow grave lay the body of 22-year-old Jasinta-Leigh Fullerton, who was allegedly killed by the same man.
A handful of students and friends of Ms Wild paid tribute after school today in a multi-church prayer vigil held opposite John Pirie Secondary School.
Baptist pastor Roger Kleinig said the 24-7 Pray Group began praying for Ms Wild on Wednesday after she was reported missing.
Senior school students, some clearly emotional and offering each other comfort, gathered in subdued groups, all of them shocked to be ending the school year on such a tragic note.
Rebecca's friends console each other at the Combined Churches of Port Pirie prayer vigil. Picture: Simon Cross
"I've got a counselling background and I wanted to give the kids a bit of an understanding of the phases of shock and grief and disbelief," said Mr Kleinig, who led the after-school vigil.
"We just thought we would see if we could extend a hand of support to the young people."
John Pirie Secondary School principal Sharryn Daly paid tribute to "a lovely kid" who was on top of her studies.
"Life was pretty good, she had some good friends, a very supportive family," Ms Daly said.
Rebecca's friends console each other at the prayer at the Combined Churches of Port Pirie - Picture: Simon Cross
Ms Wild, the eldest child of five, would be very much missed by her teachers, friends and students, and Ms Daly said the school would decide on a permanent memorial for her once students returned next year.
Police said they believe Ms Fullerton - who had suffered visible head wounds when she was found dead on Groves Rd about 3.45am on Wednesday - was killed after coming across the murderer together with Ms Wild.
They would not reveal whether Ms Wild was alive when Ms Fullerton came across the pair and where she saw them.
Police also did not disclose the type of weapon used to kill Ms Fullerton, which had been found at a separate location.
Yesterday morning police worked to remove Ms Wild's body from the makeshift grave, cordoning off Cemetery Rd during the excavation.
A 19-year-old Quorn man, whose name and image are suppressed, appeared briefly in the Port Augusta Magistrates Court yesterday charged with two counts of murder.
He was remanded in custody to appear on February 18.
Letters left at the prayer vigil for Rebecca Wild held at the Combined Churches of Port Pirie - Picture: Simon Cross
Ms Wild's friends paid tribute to the John Pirie Secondary School student and keen netballer.
Solomontown Netball Club coach Janelle Tattoli told The Advertiser that she was a quiet and reliable girl who came from a good family.
Ms Tattoli said Rebecca played as defender and often helped out with coaching and volunteering when she wasn't on the court.
"She was a really nice, quiet girl - well liked. She would always say hello and give you a smile when she went past," she said.
"She will definitely be sorely missed and she was an all-round great girl. She will be missed by everybody."
Outside court, family friend Brian Harvey said Ms Wild was a fantastic girl whom he had known for a long time.
"I am devastated," he said.
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"We've known the family for many years. I haven't seen the family or spoken with them yet, but I will be in time.
"(Rebecca) was a very respectful girl. She would always call me Mr Harvey.
"She used to play sports with our grandchildren and we would see her at all the presentations.
"She would have a go at anything as far as sport went."
Ms Wild's popularity was highlighted when a Facebook tribute page attracted almost 900 "likes" within a few hours.
"We are all upset and moved for the lost (sic), of these (sic) beautiful girl, who was taken away from us by a monster ... Rest In Peace," the page's creator posted.
Port Pirie Regional Council mayor Brenton Vanstone said the effect of Ms Wild's death would increase over time.
Police at the Quorn cemetery investigating the deaths of Quorn camel jockey Jasinta-Leigh Fullerton, inset top, and Port Pirie teenager Rebecca Wild. Main picture: Mark Brake
"When there is an incident like this, people put aside everything and show care and concern that only a close-knit community can show," he said.
"They say that good triumphs over evil, but for this momentary passage in time evil has triumphed."
While Port Pirie was coming to terms with the loss of Ms Wild, the people of Quorn continued to mourn Ms Fullerton's death.
Flinders Ranges Council mayor Peter Slattery said the community was dismayed and dumbfounded that Ms Fullerton - whom he described as outgoing and friendly - had been murdered and that one of their own was now accused of double murder.
"Losing young people in the community by senseless means is always hard," he said.
Facebook friends flocked to the social media site to grieve and share memories for the "beautiful young soul".
"RIP Jess. I will always remember the good times we had at the Trans and will not forget our night at the `Hotshots'. `Save a horse, ride a cowboy', will always remind me of you. You will be sadly missed," one friend posted.
South Australian police have released new details around the double murder near Quorn.
Major Crime officer-in-charge Detective Superintendent Grant Moyle described the discovery of the two bodies yesterday as "an unusual course of events".
"I thought not much would surprise me after my time in Major Crime, but this certainly has," he said.
Det-Supt Moyle said police believed they had caught the man responsible.
"We are satisfied he was the only person involved."
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