Hickory , North Carolina ( CNN ) -- Residents of Hickory , North Carolina , held a candlelight vigil to celebrate the life of Zahra Baker , the freckle-faced girl authorities discovered dead more than a month after she was reported missing . Zahra would have turned 11 on Tuesday , police said . `` Thirty-nine days ago , most of us did not know Zahra Baker . But over more than a month , we have all fallen in love with her and become better people because of her , '' said Hickory Police Chief Tom Adkins . The girl 's stepmother , Elisa Baker , reported Zahra missing on October 9 . Elisa Baker was arrested the next day , after police said she admitted to writing a fake ransom note found at the family 's home in Hickory . No one other than a relative had seen Zahra since September 25 . At the vigil , people lit candles and prayed . They sang `` Happy Birthday '' and released white balloons and balloons that said `` Happy Birthday . '' Adkins spoke about the young girl 's strength of spirit , her bubbling personality and the desire she had to be just like any other child . He did not address the investigation into her death . Zahra lost part of her left leg at age 5 and lost hearing in both ears while being treated for cancer . Both her biological parents were from Australia . The girl 's father , Adam Troy Baker , was arrested in late October in nearby Catawba County on eight charges : five counts of writing bad checks and three counts of failing to appear in court . Authorities said the charges were unrelated to Zahra 's disappearance , and he was later released on bail . His wife , Elisa Baker , remains in jail . Besides an obstruction of justice charge for the ransom note , she is accused of writing worthless checks . Police said she has been cooperating with investigators , including going with them to a search site . Her sister , April Fairchild , attended the vigil . `` It was amazing , '' she said . `` It 's such an inspiration to see the support . '' Hickory Mayor Rudy Wright was also there and spoke about Zahra . He said her tragic death brought out the best of the community , though most people never knew her . `` In her photos , we can see the resiliency she surely had and we wish we could hold her and give her love and security , '' he said . `` Zahra is in a better place tonight . '' CNN 's Natisha Lance contributed to this report .
The remains of Zahra Baker were discovered last week . She was reported missing in early October . The girl would have turned 11 on Tuesday . `` We have ... become better people because of her , '' police chief says .