CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The family of a young girl found murdered at a Charlotte church is making sure her memory is never forgotten. 

Ashanti Billie's body was found at the East Stonewall AME Zion Church in September 2017 after she went missing from Virginia. 

Police later arrested and charged retired Navy veteran Eric Brown with her kidnapping and murder

Sunday morning, Billie's family went to the church where their daughter was found to plant a tree in her honor. 

Her parents say this was a step towards closure, and a way to honor Ashanti's memory and the joy she brought to their lives. 

"She's the rainbow after a storm, she unifies and that's her. That is her." says Meltony Billie, Ashanti's father. "She would make a friend out of an enemy because that's just her personality. That's just her personality, so she would be pleased, very much." 

The Billie family says legislators are working to create the Ashanti Alert in Virginia and around the country. If created, an alert would be issued for adults ages 19-59 to help prevent more tragedies like this one. 

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