Family and friends gathered for a traditional ceremony Tuesday to honor the Merritt Island father and 13-year-old daughter found dead in their home Sunday.
“The ceremony is Thai tradition that when someone passes away, especially inside the house and it happens in such a tragic situation," said Morakot Chaiyahanij, a family friend.
"They do not want the spirit to be trapped inside the house. So they invite the monk to come over to bless the spirit, to ask the spirit it’s OK to leave now," Chaiyahanij continued.
According to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, deputies found 42-year-old Sittichai Boonkeian and his 13-year-old daughter Ananya Mungmart dead inside their Merritt Island home.
Investigators believe the father committed suicide. However, they have not said why. They are waiting on autopsy results to determine how the 13-year-old died.
Family members held an open house Tuesday afternoon. Friends say it’s important to be present in the family’s time of need.
“Basically just trying to comfort the family so they can have peace in their heart," Chaiyahanij added.
Neighbors are understandably stunned.
Ananya was a straight A student who spoke three languages. Boonkeian was known as a loving father.
“He’s very, very nice, very kind," Chaiyahanij said.
Friends and family hope the celebration of life will bring peace to the father’s and daughter’s spirits and begin healing a broken family and neighborhood.