BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo community came together to remember and celebrate Jaylen Griffin after remains were found last week, about three and a half years after he went missing.

“It's been a long journey and I got what I was looking for ... confirmation,” said Brian Griffin, Jaylen's father.

It was a bittersweet day for the loved ones of Jaylen.

“He's not here physically, but he's here spiritually," said Shirley Banks, Jaylen's grandmother. "We want to say happy birthday and we want to celebrate his life.”

The vigil Monday marked the 16^th birthday for Jaylen, who was a bright light in his family’s lives.

“We called him meatball because he was round," laughed Banks, "Meatball, drippin' sauce. That was his nickname.”

“Every day was good with Jaylen," added Brian. "On a bad day, he would make you smile, he would make you laugh.”

Griffin went missing in August 2020 at 12 years old. When police announced they found his body, it was a blow to the whole community.

“Someone in this community knows who did it," said Buffalo resident Samuel Herbert. "It is time to speak up.”

Speakers at the vigil didn’t find it hard to put themselves in Griffin’s family’s shoes.

“This is my adopted son in the city of Buffalo," Herbert said. "I've been known him since he was [very small] in my arms at my church, [...] but I don't want anything to happen to this young man.”

The message at the vigil was that everyone has to look out for each other.

“Keep your kids close and as far as the neighbors, quit acting funny and watch out for the community kids,” said Lamont Anderson, Jaylen’s uncle.

Among those at the vigil was the mother of Tiara Lott, who went missing after Jaylen. Search parties for the two were combined.

“Who killed Jalen Griffin? No justice, no peace,” said Pastor Tim Newkirk of GYC Ministries and the Community Action Coalition of WNY.

Crowds at Monday’s vigil are hoping the Griffin family gets the same closure Lotts did when her body was found.

“It's a 'moms sticking together' to find Tiara, and it's going to take moms, mothers, sons, brothers, children to tell us what happened and where is Jaylen's killer,” added Tamea Dixon, the community liaison for GYC Ministries and the Community Action Coalition of WNY.

For now, they’ll remember the good.

A $7,500 reward is still being offered for any information leading to the arrest of Griffin's killer. To leave a tip, call 716-867-6161.