Brookville residents gathered Tuesday night at the Jefferson County courthouse to remember a young woman who was found dead in her vehicle after being reported missing days earlier.

Devan Knapp, 19, of Brookville, was found dead in her newly-purchased car in Millcreek Township, Clarion County, Tuesday morning.

The candlelight vigil for Knapp, organized through social media, brought Knapp's friends, like Derac Shaffer, out to remember the girl he knew from when they were younger.

"I got the news at work today and I'm devastated obviously," Shaffer said. "I spent my childhood with this girl. She knew how to put a smile on your face, no matter what." 

Knapp graduated from Brookville High School in 2011. Zach Broman, and other friends who attended the vigil, said they remembered Knapp as a good student who showed a lot of promise.

"Every time I saw her she was talking to a teacher about doing her school work or something," Broman said. "I used to cheat off her a couple times, not going to lie."

Officials said Knapp was last seen January 11, the same day she got her new car. According to friends, she went out to show it off. She was last seen at the Brookville Sheetz.

Students and friends at the vigil said with social media and technology, news of Knapp's death spread quickly throughout the town and her alma mater, with many students finding out instantly during their school day.

The investigation into Knapp's death continues. State Police in Punxsutawney and Clarion are leading the investigation.

The Clarion County coroner will conduct an autopsy at a later time to determine a cause and manner of Knapp's death.