Friends mourn girl killed in ATV accident months after brother’s death

By Jackie Valley

Published Sunday, Sept. 4, 2011 | 3:25 p.m.

Updated Sunday, Sept. 4, 2011 | 11:01 p.m.

In the beginning, no words were necessary to convey how much 16-year-old Christina Portaro was loved.

The candlelight vigil was supposed to start at 8 p.m. Sunday, but dozens of friends were streaming into a park across from Faith Lutheran High School shortly after 7 p.m. to honor Christina, who died Saturday in a four-wheeler accident in Brian Head, Utah.

The tragedy is the second this year to befall the Portaro family, which already is suffering from the loss of her older brother Michael. The 22-year-old was shot to death outside Tenaya Creek Brewery in March.

Metro Police arrested a suspect in June in connection with the homicide.

Christina, a junior at Faith Lutheran, was riding on the back of a four-wheeler with a friend Saturday when she fell off the back, said family friend Ron Futrell. She died instantly.

"The family is devastated, just devastated," said Rob Portaro, Christina's uncle. "Trying to get over the pain of Mike five months ago -- that was never-ending, and now this. It's just hard to wrap your head around."

A somber silence fell over the park Sunday evening as friends lit candles, wept and, most importantly, held each other.

Tears flowed faster and louder as friends and coaches started reminiscing about the energetic, stubborn and loving girl they knew.

One father put the tragedy in simple, undeniable terms.

"No one should ever have to make sense of something like this," said Kevin Mills, whose daughters, Devynn and Arianna, were close friends with Christina.

Friends shared stories about Christina to highlight her feisty personality.

Chandler Young, a friend who was with Christina on Saturday in Utah, said they came upon a "keep off property" sign during their adventures.

Just for fun -- and to test the boundaries a little -- Christina took a picture from within the confines of the forbidden property.

"She insisted on having fun," Young said. "She didn't have regrets. She loved life."

After a pause, Young added: "She's with Mike now."

Friends said Mike's death hit Christina particularly hard despite her positive nature and ability not to show too much emotion.

Devynn Mills recalled crying with Christina a few months ago when she was missing Mike. They eventually fell asleep together on the floor.

Good memories, however, outweighed the sad ones -- such as, the girl who energized every room, who constantly challenged her volleyball teammates to succeed and who, much to her friends' amusement, had a disdain for wearing pants.

"She lived life to the fullest, and there was never a dull moment," said Kimberly Perryman, who described Christina as a “twin” to her daughter, Gianna. "I adore her."

As spurts of giggles broke out among groups sharing fond memories, friends said that's how Christina should be remembered.

"I just hope we can laugh through the tears," Devynn Mills said.

The Portaro family is grieving privately in Utah. Funeral arrangements have not been decided.