Girl murdered near Holy Land USA

Waterbury, Conn (WTNH) - Dozens of people gathered at the gates of Holy Land in Waterbury for a candlelight vigil Sunday evening to remember Chloe Ottman.

Waterbury police say her friend of two years, 19-year-old Francisco Cruz, confessed to sexually assaulting and killing the 16-year-old girl.

“She made me who I am today. She touched my heart,” said Angelica Bowen, who attended the vigil.

Ottman's body was found Saturday, a day after her family reported her missing. She was last seen alive on Thursday night with Cruz. The pair had walked together to the mostly deserted Holy Land USA.

Sunday evening, Ottman's boyfriend Jeremy handed out photos of her to those who knew her best. His best friend, David Mitchell organized the vigil on the R.I.P. Chloe Ottman Facebook page.

“She cared about everybody. She was a very loyal person. She was a very honest person,” said David Mitchell. “And it's just sad somebody can actually do this, take her life away from people that she loved and people that loved her."

Cruz has been charged with capital felony murder, first-degree sexual assault and second-degree strangulation in the death of Chloe Ottman. He is being held at the Waterbury Police Department on $5 million bond.

Police say Cruz initially denied any knowledge about Ottman's disappearance. He then led investigators to her body late Saturday afternoon after confessing to the murder.

Police are not releasing anymore details at this time.

Holy Land was built by Waterbury lawyer John Greco. The 17-acre religious attraction opened in 1958 as Bethlehem Village, representing a miniature Jerusalem and Bethlehem. It was one of Connecticut's biggest tourist attractions in the 1960s and 1970s.

Closed for years, its 50-foot cross still illuminates the Waterbury night.