(CNN) By the thousands people are leaving their porch lights on -- in Minnesota and other parts of the country -- for the child who never came home. The lights are being left on through the holiday weekend in memory of Jacob Wetterling, a Minnesota boy who was abducted 27 years ago. Local authorities announced Saturday that his remains had been found. Jacob, who was 11, disappeared on a dark road in central Minnesota on the night of October 22, 1989. Since then, his whereabouts had been unknown. His mother, Patty Wetterling, became an advocate for families of missing children. The family described being in "deep grief. We didn't want Jacob's story to end this way."Supporters turn on outdoor lights in memory of Jacob WetterlingWetterling, 11, was abducted in 1989 on a rural Minnesota roadHis body was found after 27 years of mystery
Another person wrote: "_ loves you and your family," in a tweet addressed to Jacob's mother.