MONROEVILLE, Pa. -- A visitation, followed by a funeral service, was held Monday to remember 16-year-old Demi Cuccia, who was stabbed to death last week in Monroeville.

About 900 people filled the Monroeville Assembly of God church for the memorial service.

"It's just so hard," said Amber Green, a friend of Cuccia. "Everybody's been crying so much. It's so hard to handle this. Never thought it would happen."

"It's just been really hard, like to eat and to sleep," said friend Kelsey Kellerman. "And I just miss her. Wish she could come back."

Outside, Cuccia's Gateway High School cheerleader uniforms were on display. Inside, flowers and photos adorned the altar, surrounding the urn that contained her cremated remains.

"Everybody's really hurting," said the Rev. Lance Lecocq. "Just try to take them to the lord. Give them the love of God. Encourage them to express themselves to God and also to share their love and support with one another."

After the memorial service, family and friends gathered outside the church and touched a single white dove, which was released into the sky. Another 20 doves were then released in a symbolic farewell.

On Sunday, about 1,400 people gathered at Gateway for a tribute event.

Several people, including Cuccia's parents, spoke about the girl, and her cheerleading coach sang.

Dozens of pink balloons were released into the sky. Pink was Cuccia's favorite color.

Some friends have posted video tributes on a Facebook.com page dedicated to Cuccia's memory. Others have placed candles outside her home and written goodbye messages in chalk on the sidewalk.

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John Mullarkey, who police say killed his girlfriend Cuccia before cutting his own throat in a suicide attempt, has been upgraded to stable but guarded condition at Allegheny General Hospital.

Mullarkey, 18, was charged late Sunday with homicide, and the police report includes more details of the case.

According to the criminal complaint, Cuccia was stabbed 16 times in the upper torso and died of a shoulder wound. Police said they found a folding knife with a 3½-inch blade on the living room floor of her home.

Police said before Mullarkey was transported to Allegheny General Hospital, an officer asked him "Where is the knife?" Police said Mullarkey nodded up and down when asked if it was in the apartment. There, a blood-covered folding knife with a 3.5-inch blade was found on the first floor living room.

According to the affidavit, when paramedics arrived at the scene, they asked Mullarkey, "Who did this to you?" Police said Mullarkey replied by pointing to himself and stating, "I did this."

Cuccia's mother, Jodi, told WTAE Channel 4 Action News that the couple had an on-again, off-again relationship for about a year and said her daughter was trying to break up with Mullarkey.

Police said they believe an argument started inside the girl's home on Elliott Road and escalated into violence.

One unidentified witness reported hearing screams coming from the home before Cuccia walked outside covered in blood and yelled, "He stabbed me," according to police.

Other witnesses quoted in court documents told police that Mullarkey had sent the girl a text message threatening to harm her. They also told police that the couple had a violent argument on Aug. 12.

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