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Hundreds of people gathered in north Minneapolis today for the funeral of Barway Collins, the 10-year-old Crystal boy found dead last month, after he went missing March 18.

Barway's body was found floating in the Mississippi River on April 11. His father, Pierre, 

Barway's mother, Louise Karluah, traveled from Liberia to attend his funeral.

Mourners say goodbye to Barway

Mourners vowed to remember Barway and said they hoped his death would bring the community closer together. His mother's brother, Emmanuel Monluo, noted his family's pain, and the tension among Barway's extended family.

 
"Barway was trusted to a person that was supposed to give him the maximum protection," Monluo said. "That person has been accused. Get me very clearly, that person has been accused. But I want to tell you, the Karluah family is bleeding."

Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek spoke to a standing room only crowd at Shiloh Temple International Ministries, a congregation that many Liberian immigrants, like Barway's family, attend. 

"I wanted to say thank you to the moms, the friends, the mothers who searched for Barway tirelessly, relentlessly. You never gave up hope. You never gave up the quest for the truth. Thank you for all of your efforts," Stanek said.

Editor's note: This version of the story contains the correct date on which Barway Collins body was found.

Crime, Law and Justice

Tim Nelson

Author

Mourners gathered in north Minneapolis today for the funeral of the 10-year-old Crystal boy found dead last month.

Louise Karluah cries at the funeral for her son.

Courtney Perry for MPR News

Friends and family grieve at the funeral.

Funeral held for Barway Collins

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