Here's where things stand: Michelle Young was found beaten to death in her Wake County home on November 3rd, 2006.

 

Cassidy, her 2-year-old daughter, was found by her side unharmed.

 

Young's husband, Jason, says he was out of town when Michelle was killed, and investigators say he's been uncooperative, but the Sheriff's Office has not named any suspects.

 

Friends and family of Michelle they're not giving up hope, and Saturday they held a celebration in memory of her life.

 

The dozens of people who turned out were vastly outnumbered -- by thousands of little ladybugs.

 

"It was a little creepy-crawly, but ladybugs are absolutely harmless," said Kim Linder, with a laugh. "They're beautiful creatures, so I'm not scared of them in the least."

 

Organizers say letting the ladybugs free on the same weekend as Mothers Day is a perfect way to remember Michelle.

 

Friends and family say they always knew she had an affinity for ladybugs, but really felt a powerful connection after her funeral.

 

"The one that I love most was when I was at her grave. We had an angel there, and a ladybug came and just sat on the angel's head," said Linda Fisher, Michelle's mother. "And I though, you know, she's there. She's with us. And it feels good."

 

The celebration was a full-on, family-friendly day of fun, but was also designed to keep the crime in people's thoughts.

 

"Sooner or later, somebody's going to come back with a little piece that's going to fit into that puzzle like we need it," said Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison, who attended the celebration.

 

Harrison said he expects to make an arrest at some point, but doesn't know when that might be, and hopes people can be patient.

 

"We have every bit of faith in the detectives and the sheriff that they will have this case solved," said Linder.

 

Cassidy Young is in her father's care in a different part of the state; neither of them came to the celebration.