Hundreds Attend Vigil of Hope for Kate
Hundreds of community members poured into St. John’s Episcopal Church in Essex on Jan. 2 to support the Konrad family and share their hope that 16-year-old Kate Konrad will return home soon and safe.
Konrad, a Valley Regional High School (VRHS) junior, was last seen when her mother Candace Konrad drove her to school on Dec. 20. Earlier that morning, she had celebrated her father’s birthday with the family and got ready for school like most other days, according to her family.
Her father, Scott Konrad, said knew immediately something was wrong when he got a voicemail from VRHS notifying him of his daughter’s absence. The family believes she left the state with 22-year-old Kyle Sheehan. A Silver Alert was issued, but at press time, there has been no contact from her.
Kate Konrad’s family had to endure the holidays without her.
“I can’t imagine what any parent feels like in this kind of situation,” said Duffy Grace, a family friend and parent of a VRHS student, at the vigil.
To show support for her family and love for Konrad, community members, including VRHS students, faculty, and administration and St. John’s Episcopal Church and the Trinity Lutheran Church of Centerbrook organized the vigil of hope and recorded the entire evening in hopes that where ever Konrad is, she saw how much she is loved and missed.
“Kate, nothing has happened that we can’t put behind us,” said Candace Konrad. “You are a Valley Warrior and we need you back. We need to make more memories.”
The VRHS select choir solemnly sang “Hold Fast to Dreams” and “The Storm is Passing Over” and Reverend Linda Spiers shared words of hope, as did Reverend Brett Betkoski, Superintendent of Region 4 Schools Brian White and VRHS Principal Mike Barile. In addition, Kate’s friends and fellow soccer players shared fond memories and pleas of a safe return home.
“Kate, you light up a room when you walk into it,” said friend Cormac Kline. “I pray you are safe. Life without you is just not the same. We love you and miss you.”
Others said they missed konrad’s “wicked dance moves,” her sense of humor and ability to make them laugh, and fun times shared with her “blasting her music in the car.”
“Hear our prayers Kate and come home to the people who love you most and care about you,” said friend Paige Lombardi.
The church was standing-room-only with a full spill-over room and people also standing vigil outside. The atmosphere was a somber but hopeful as tears were shed and vigil candles lit.
“Its been a surreal from the moment that Kate left to this one,” said Scott Konrad. “One I hope no other family will ever have to endure, but the outpouring of support and caring from this community is what has sustained us and allowed us to face each new day with hope.”
He thanked the churches, the school district, the community, media, and law enforcement for all of their help and ended with a plea to his daughter: “Kate, please return to our fold quickly and safely. We love you!”
Kate Konrad is 5’2” and weighs 120 pounds, with brown eyes and brown hair. Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to call State Police Troop F in Westbrook at 860-399-2100.