It was another bad time to be a Coloradan when Jessica Ridgeway went missing Oct. 5 in Westminster. An entire state and most of the country turned to the media, hoping there would be a good ending to such a sad story. The worst possible outcome: police found her body in a park and an entire community mourned the loss of Ridgeway. The one positive that came out of it all was the amount of support everyone showed, and that should make you happy to be a part of this state.

The city of Westminster was painted in purple during the whole ordeal, Ridgeway’s favorite color. Many memorial sites were set up throughout town and were filled with visitors every day. With the killer still on the loose, people wanted justice, but the main concern was helping the Ridgeway family get through the tough time.

Police arrested a suspect last week, 17 year old Austin Sigg. He lived near Ridgeway. Sigg’s mother called and turned him in. Now the justice system will run its course and maybe the Ridgeways will find justice.

The bizzare situation left everyone in shock. It also showed how brave the people involved were. The Ridgeway family kept a low profile, but when they did speak to the public, they showed courage by just keeping their hope alive. There is no greater fear for parents than losing a child. Seeing their story on every television channel probably makes things even worse.

The bravest person might possibly be the mother of the suspect, Sigg. How sickening she must have felt thinking her son committed such a crime? It took real courage to call the police on her own kid. She might see him get locked up for a long, long time. Sigg’s father also released a heart-felt statement saying how brave she is and also expressing his family’s deepest sympathy towards the Ridgeway family.

Colorado communities stepped up again in showing support for one of their own. That’s been the theme in the state since the wildfires broke out over the summer. There will never be a perfect ending to this sad story. We may never understand what drives anyone to do such things. But there is comfort in knowing that we live in a place that supports their own so much.