Jefferson County Holds Annual Crime Victims Candlelight Vigil

The public event honors and supports those impacted by violence in the community.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 3:34pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single lit candle against a pitch-black background, the flame casting dramatic shadows and highlights to create a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.The somber glow of a single candle represents the ongoing pain and resilience of crime victims and their families in the local community.Beaumont Today

Jefferson County's 33rd Annual Crime Victims Candlelight Vigil will be held on Thursday at 6 p.m. in the jury impaneling room of the Jefferson County Courthouse. The free event, organized by the Jefferson County Crime Victims Coalition, brings together community members to honor and support victims of crime and their families by lighting candles representing each type of crime committed.

Why it matters

The vigil provides an important opportunity for crime victims and their loved ones to find community, support, and solace. It underscores the ongoing impact of violent crime in the region and the need for resources and healing for those affected.

The details

The vigil will feature the lighting of candles to represent different types of crimes committed against individuals. Chris Castillo, a coalition member who has been involved for over 20 years, knows the pain of violent crime firsthand after his mother was killed in 1991. He emphasizes the importance of the event in helping victims feel less alone and find 'kindred spirits' in the community who have been through similar experiences.

  • The 33rd Annual Crime Victims Candlelight Vigil will be held on Thursday, April 20, 2026 at 6 p.m.

The players

Jefferson County Crime Victims Coalition

A local organization that hosts the annual candlelight vigil to honor and support victims of crime and their families.

Chris Castillo

A member of the Jefferson County Crime Victims Coalition who has been involved with the organization for over 20 years after his mother was killed in 1991.

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What they’re saying

“The event is to bring people together who are victims of crime and to make them feel like they're not alone.”

— Chris Castillo, Coalition Member

“A lot of people think that they're the only ones that this happened to ever, and that's why it's so important that you find kindred spirits and support from people in the community who've been through a similar incident. It really helps them to see that they survived and I can survive.”

— Chris Castillo, Coalition Member

The takeaway

The annual Crime Victims Candlelight Vigil serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing impact of violent crime in the community and the importance of providing support and resources for those affected. By coming together to honor victims and their families, the event helps foster a sense of community and healing.