It was clear from the tears on the cheeks of searchers, however, that an emotional connection to Lori and her family already had been made. Perhaps, one officer said, it was because of the unusual and serious nature of the landfill mission.

"It all became quite personal, I think, to all of us," state Department of Public Safety investigator Vu Bowers said. "Especially to those of us with children. I have a 6-week-old daughter, and I understand the importance of finding (Lori)."

An earlier memorial service celebrating Lori Hacking's life was held by her family and friends on Aug. 14 in Orem. Her body had not been found at that time.

Saturday's grave site ceremony lasted less than an hour. It included two selections of recorded music and brief words of comfort from Windsor Stake President Scott Dunaway of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Eraldo Soares dedicated the grave, saying he was grateful that God "had given (Lori) to us for 27 years."

The Soares family also thanked the community at large, placing a banner near the grave that read: "Lori's home. Your prayers are answered."

At the close of the ceremony, each of the 60 or so people in attendance — family, police, Lori's friends from childhood, her college roommates, Wells Fargo co-workers and the Hacking family — silently filed past the silver-gray casket and placed long-stemmed red roses on its lid.

Afterward, Thelma Soares and Janet Hacking, Mark Hacking's mother, clasped each other tightly for a whispered exchange. Janet Hacking gently wiped tears from Thelma Soares' cheeks as they talked.

The moment underscored how closely the Hacking and Soares families have remained through the unfolding ordeal of the past 83 days.

In an interview with the Deseret Morning News in August, Thelma Soares said her love and respect for Janet and Douglas Hacking had not changed, nor does she blame them for their son's alleged actions. Her former husband, Eraldo Soares, has been equally steadfast, greeting the Hackings in court last month with warmth and hugs.

Saturday, however, Eraldo Soares showed a hint of bitterness, dropping the surname "Hacking" from his daughter's name as he dedicated her grave.

Nelson, who said he met Lori's family for the first time Saturday, brushed aside the idea that his role in the search was more important than that of others.

"I'm not the person that did it. It was a group effort. I couldn't have gotten through all of that material by myself," he said before breaking into tears. "Being here today, it made me really grateful for what we were able to do."

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LORI

You are a small town girl with big city sophistication

You are California cool and Las Vegas excitement