Thousands raised for slain Middle Tennessee teen remembered as 'light in this world'

In the weeks since 17-year-old Trinity Bostic's death, thousands of dollars have been donated to her family for funeral expenses, messages of love and support have dominated social media feeds and Hendersonville Police are continuing to build their case against the suspect charged in connection with her death.

Bostic was reported missing from her Macon County home on June 29. A subcontractor with the Tennessee Department of Transportation found human remains later identified as Bostic's in a wood line near Vietnam Veterans Boulevard in Hendersonville on July 3.

"My sister was a light in this world," Bostic's sister Tasia McClain said in a statement. "She was beautiful, caring and she is missed terribly."

McClain said on social media that she "fought through tears" to say her final goodbye to Bostic during a July 9 funeral. The family buried the teen next to her older sister Michelle Wilson.

"Thank you to everyone who sent up prayers, gave support in any form and donated to expenses. We couldn’t have made it through this tragedy without you," McClain said on Facebook.

A 17-year-old Westmoreland boy has been arrested and charged in connection with Bostic's death. He is being held in the Sumner County Juvenile Detention Center in Gallatin.

Hendersonville Police Department Criminal Investigation Sgt. Nicholas Edwards told The Tennessean the teen faces a first-degree murder charge.

Bostic's cause of death remains under investigation pending an autopsy.

Full of love and joy

In the weeks since her death, Bostic's classmates have flooded social media to honor her memory and support her grieving family.

"I truly do not know how someone could take your life," Khloe Redfield wrote in on such Facebook post. "You were full of love and always showed it. All of us are in excruciating pain and full of grief. You truly had the most genuine heart, and you would always make sure others were OK before yourself."

Aubri Lee said in a Facebook post that she went to school with Bostic. She called Bostic's homicide "senseless."

"She had not one mean bone in her body. She was full of love and joy and had so much more life to live," Lee wrote.

Macon County Schools has set up a crisis intervention team with professionals trained to help students and school personnel through the tragedy.

"This loss is sure to raise many emotions, concerns and questions for our entire school, especially our students," the district said in a release, noting that anyone needing help can call 615-666-4474 for support.

Anyone with information about Bostic or how she ended up in the wood line near Vietnam Veterans Boulevard is asked to call the Hendersonville Police Department at 615-822-1111 or the Hendersonville Crime Stoppers at 615-594-4113.

A GoFundMe account to support Bostic's family has raised more than $14,000 to date.

Craig Shoup by email at cshoup@gannett.com and on X @Craig_Shoup. To support his work, sign up for a digital subscription to www.tennessean.com.