Santa Cruz will mourn for Maddy by howling like her beloved wolves

The mother of Madyson “Maddy� Middleton, an 8-year-old Santa Cruz girl who was murdered this week, is calling on the community to honor her daughter, who loved wolves, by howling at Friday’s blue moon, CBS reported.

The “Howl for Maddy� event was scheduled to take place around 8:30 p.m. at the Tannery Arts Center apartment complex, but Maddy’s mother instead requested that residents howl from their homes.

“This is just so overwhelming for her,� a post on Santa Cruz IMC read. “She is just not ready yet. They hope you understand.�

Interested in the stories shaping California? Sign up for the free Essential California newsletter >>

The post asked that residents submit pictures and soundbites by using the hashtag #howlformaddy.

The event will take place on the second full moon of the month, which is referred to as a blue moon.

The small coastal community of Santa Cruz has been mourning the loss of the young girl with “Remember Maddy� and “We love you Maddy� signs that have been posted around the city, CBS reported.

Maddy’s body was discovered July 27, a little over 24 hours after she disappeared, by a Santa Cruz police detective.

A teenage boy, who was standing near the recycling bin, has been identified by police as 15-year-old Adrian Jerry Gonzalez. Gonzalez was arrested in connection with her death.

Police investigators say Gonzalez lured Maddy into his family’s apartment from a courtyard at the Tannery, where they both lived, and killed her. Police have said they have evidence tying him directly to Maddy.

Gonzalez is being charged as an adult and faces one count of murder with a special circumstance that he kidnapped, sexually assaulted and tied up Maddy before killing her.

For more Southern California news follow @LATVives

ALSO:

Hail, lightning, heavy rains slam parts of Southern California

Man, 20, drowns while cave diving off Palos Verdes Peninsula

Morrissey says TSA screener groped him at San Francisco airport