Other articles on www.wtae.com and www.triblive.com. Hopefully this gets directly to Jessica and she can read this and help the family out. She mentions in her journal that her mom and Jessica Simpson were her heroes. Such a sad story.

Hundreds pour into church for cheerleader's funeral
By Rochelle Hentges and Jill King Greenwood
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Monday, August 20, 2007

Hundreds of mourners filed into the Monroeville Assembly of God church this morning to remember Demi Brae Cuccia, the 16-year-old high school cheerleader who was stabbed to death last week.
The line spilled out the lobby, past photo montages and memorials, into the drizzling rain outside as mourners waited to enter the sanctuary.

Alexis Robertson, 15, arrived at the viewing in a new black dress to mourn "one of her best friends."

"I was in denial, I wouldn't even believe it," said Robertson, who will be entering her sophomore year at Gateway High School. "It's just sad shopping for your friend's funeral and actually going to it."

Robertson said she became friends with Cuccia after dating her older brother, Jacob, 18.
"I was always around her and (John) Mullarkey and they seemed fine, up until a couple of months ago."

Yesterday police filed homicide charges against John Mullarkey Jr., 18, who is under police guard at his bed at Allegheny General Hospital, North Side, Monroeville assistant police Chief Doug Cole said. Police said Mullarkey attacked Cuccia at her home before slashing his own throat in an apparent murder-suicide attempt Wednesday.

The documents say a paramedic called to the scene asked Mullarkey who had hurt him. He reportedly responded: "I did this."

An Allegheny General spokeswoman would not release a report on Mullarkey's condition yesterday. According to court documents, he suffered a severe neck laceration.

Police expected as many as 1,500 people to file through today's viewing before the 11 a.m. funeral service for Cuccia.

More than a dozen Gateway High School football players arrived around 9 a.m. in black uniforms with gold numbering and lettering.

"It's a hard day for everyone. This is something you just don't ever expect to happen," said Shayne Hale, 18, an incoming senior from Monroeville. "Demi was a beautiful girl, a nice girl. You just can't say enough nice things about her."

Chris Manso, 16, an incoming senior, also knew Cuccia from playing on the team.

"I think we're still in shock," Manso said. The fact that Mullarkey, a former athlete on the Gateway wrestling and baseball teams, has been charged in the stabbing "makes it so much worse," he said.

School counselor Colleen Tortorella said staff will be there for Gateway students when they return to class next Monday.

"Don't think for a moment Demi won't be on our minds," she said. "We truly are here for you if you need us, always."

Tears and sadness filled a vigil at Gateway's Harry J. Furrie Sports Complex last night, but there was laughter, as well, when Demi's mother read from one of her daughter's writings, "Life Is Short, Enjoy It," about her interests, favorite things, pet peeves and her plans for her future.

Her interests included typical teenage pastimes: listening to music, talking on the phone, going to movies and shopping. Her two heroes: her mother and Jessica Simpson. Her fears: needles.

She hoped to attend college, become a doctor or lawyer and have a family with a house near the beach, her mother said.

"The outpouring of friendship and love for our family has been overwhelming," Jodi Cuccia said.