She Had to Watch Her Grave Be Dug

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On September 23, 2002, 18-year-old Rachel Burkheimer, was forced to watch her own grave being dug by her ex-boyfriend and his gang in foothills of the Cascade Mountains.

Rachel Burkheimer resided, worked, and attended high school in the Tulalip Reservation, spanning over 22,000 acres in Snohomish County, near Everett, Washington.

Rachel's social circles and wide-reaching connections were beyond her parents ability to keep track of. During Rachel's early years, her parents harbored concerns about her hearing, as she remained nonverbal until nearly reaching the age of three. Once she found her voice however, it seemed as though a floodgate had opened. With a vivid imagination, she excelled at mimicking others and possessed a library of amusing voices that brought endless joy and entertainment to her family.

Despite her petite stature of just 4 feet 11 inches, Rachel possessed a tremendous sense of might and independence. She had a penchant for wearing four-inch heels wherever she went, and her makeup kit was the size of a toolbox. With her infectious smile and striking bright blue eyes, she effortlessly caught the attention of those around her.

In August 2001, Rachel experienced a devastating loss when one of her best friends Cory Haynes was tragically killed in a rollover car accident. His sudden passing deeply affected her, leading her to find solace in preserving his memory. She took the death extremely hard and, in her grief, attached his pictures all over her Subaru dashboard and room. She hung his obituary on her bedroom wall.

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