Area business provides headstone for grieving family of Elizabeth Laird

(WXYZ) — It's been more than a year since Dianna Cann lost her daughter and best friend, Elizabeth Laird.

“She was beautiful inside — not just outside," Cann said of her daughter.

Laird was 27, and on her way to becoming to nurse, when Detroit police found her body on the city's west side.

Finding closure has been especially hard for Cann, because she's been unable to purchase a headstone for Laird, whom close friends and family called 'Candy.'

Laird was laid to rest at the Gethsemane Cemetery in Detroit, but has only a grave marker for loved ones to visit.

“I go out there, I put flowers and balloons," Cann said. "It would make me feel so much better, not having to look for that little marker on the ground looking for my daughter.”

As Action News visited Laird's grave marker at Gethsemane Cemetery for this story, we were approached by someone with ties to Enduring Memories, a company in Detroit which provides headstones.

The company offered to provide the family with a headstone for Laird free of charge.

"This is a blessing from God," Cann said, after learning of Enduring Memories offer. "We still have good people in the world.”

Enduring Memories declined an interview, telling Action New they didn't need the recognition, but just wanted to help the family.

In February, 51-year-old James Cockerham was found guilty of Laird's kidnapping and murder, among other charges related to her death.

Cockerham, who Detroit police said did not know Laird, is now serving life behind bars.

Cann said the trial, and his life sentence aren't enough.

“Somedays I am so hurt, I can’t cry. And then there are other days I literally get sick," she said.

Cann said she will always remember her daughter as a young women whose smile could light up a room. With the help of Enduring Memories, she'll soon have a headstone worthy of her daughter's memory.