Heber City community members hold vigil for Estonian exchange student who died Saturday


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HEBER CITY — Dozens of students and community members gathered at Wasatch High School on Thursday evening to remember an Estonian exchange student who died last weekend.

Anica Juur, 17, died Sunday from an unknown medical issue. Juur was visiting Utah from Estonia and staying with a host family in Heber City.

Police told KSL that Juur's death was not suspicious, but they still are not sure of the cause.

She complained of abdominal and back pain on Saturday, but did not want to go to the hospital, according to Wasatch County Sheriff's Office Deputy Jared Rigby. The next day, Juur didn't wake up, he said.

Juur’s friend Kenzie Koehle said Anica was welcoming and always friendly.

“She was just one of the sweetest people you would ever meet,” Kenzie said.

Kenzie and her mother Katri started a GoFundMe page* that had raised more than $29,000 as of Thursday evening. All the money will be given to Anica’s family members, Katri Koehle said.

“We’re so heartbroken and sad, and it’s just a small gesture,” Katri Koehle said. “Hopefully her family will accept it with the love that it was gathered.”

Juur’s family was at the vigil on Thursday.

Kenzie Koehle said she found out about Juur’s death while she was sitting in math class. Juur's death was so unexpected since she was so young and from a different country, Kenzie said.

“She was super full of life — super helpful,” Kenzie said. “It was so shocking.”

Contributing: Andrew Adams


*KSL.com does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.

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