Kenneka Jenkins Laid To Rest At Funeral, But Questions Over Her Death Remain (VIDEO)

CHICAGO, IL — About 1,000 family, friends and other supporters turned out Saturday at the House of Hope Church on the Far South Side for the funeral of Kenneka Jenkins, the 19-year-old Chicago woman who was found dead in a Rosemont hotel's walk-in freezer in early September. Mourners wore purple, Jenkins' favorite color, and doves were released during graveside proceedings. But while loved ones — as well as many individuals who had never met Jenkins — laid the teen to rest, questions still linger surrounding her death.

"We are here to celebrate the life of a beautiful young woman, Kenneka Jenkins," the Rev. James Meeks said during the service at the church, 752 E. 114th St. "We're not here to solve nothing. We're not here to question anything. We're here to wrap our arms around her mother, two grandmothers, a brother and sisters who've lost their loved one."

In an online video posted before the service, Tereasa Martin, Jenkins' mother, said her daughter's funeral was open to anyone who wanted to attend. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for the South Side and Chicago — or other neighborhoods. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

"Everybody welcome. Just come in peace," she said.

Hymns were sung, and emotional eulogies were delivered during Saturday's service, which included spoken word artist Goddess Warrior reading a poem, "The Toughest Job in the World," dedicated to motherhood. Loved ones also grieved alongside many individuals who had never met Jenkins and knew her only through the tragic circumstances of her death.

WATCH: Mourners attend the funeral for Kenneka Jenkins on Saturday, Sept. 30, at the House of Hope Church.

Jenkins had gone to a party Sept. 8 at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare Hotel & Conference Center in Rosemont, but friends lost track of her, and the family reported the teen missing the following day. After an 11-hour search, hotel staff found Jenkins' body inside a walk-in freezer early Sept. 10. An autopsy was unable to determine the cause of death pending further study.

Following the church service, mourners gathered to watch Jenkins' casket lowered into her grave. Martin then said a prayer before releasing a single dove. More doves were released following a shout of "We love you, Kenneka!" from the crowd.

WATCH: Doves are released Saturday, Sept. 30, during graveside services for Kenneka Jenkins. (Some mild language used. Viewer discretion advised.)

Rosemont police have treated the case as a noncriminal death investigation, and investigators initially told the family that Jenkins was intoxicated when she let herself into the freezer and died inside. But Martin and others believe the possibility of foul play shouldn't be ruled out, and they have asked the FBI to step in. Rosemont police, however, have said it will continue to handle the case.

Hotel security camera videos released by police showed Jenkins stumbling around different parts of the hotel, including the kitchen area where the walk-in freezer is located. None of the released footage shows Jenkins actually entering the freezer.

More Patch Coverage

Chicago Teen Found Dead In Hotel Freezer; Facebook Video Could Provide Clues: "I believe someone in this hotel killed my child," Kenneka Jenkins' mother said.

Autopsy For Chicago Teen Found In Hotel Freezer Inconclusive: Rosemont police plan to show hotel security camera video to the victim's mother.

Kenneka Jenkins Walked Into Hotel Freezer Alone: Activist: Rosemont hotel offers to pay for 19-year-old's funeral.

Videos Released By Cops Don't Show Kenneka Jenkins Entering Freezer: A lawyer for the victim's family said they have not seen footage showing the teen walking into a hotel freezer alone.

Kenneka Jenkins Case: FBI Not Needed For Investigation, Rosemont's Top Cop Says: Public Safety Chief Donald E. Stephens III said Monday his department will handle the case despite demands to call in the feds.

Mourners attend the funeral for Kenneka Jenkins on Saturday, Sept. 30, at House of Hope Church. (Image via video by Shen Pe Uts Taa-Neter | YouTube)

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