Dozens gathered on a sunny spring day in Pacific Beach to remember a son, brother and friend loved by so many.
Family and friends of Conner Kepple met in Kate Sessions Park Saturday to memorialize the young EMT who died on his 21st birthday after what investigators called a ‘violent confrontation’ in the Gaslamp Quarter.
“This gathering – it’s beautiful and it’s perfect,” Conner’s little sister Makenna Kepple told NBC 7. “It’s a celebration of life and that’s what Conner did every day. He celebrated his life, and we, just as a family, didn’t prefer a classic funeral. Just wasn’t our style and it’s not his. So having all of his friends and his family gathered here today is exactly what we need.”
Conner loved sports and many memories of him involve him snowboarding and dirt biking.
Conner's older brother Trenton said he made everyone feel like a good friend.
"We shared a lot of fun times," Trenton Kepple said. "[There's] definitely a lot of love in our family."
Conner also worked as an EMT where coworkers said he loved to help others and they trusted him with his life.
Five days before his death on March 10, he had been celebrating in the Gaslamp with friends. Homicide detectives are calling his death ‘suspicious’ and are continuing to investigate.
Authorities said there were clearly signs of inflicted injury on Conner when he died, but they still have not confirmed those injuries lead to his death. Police said once they get the autopsy results they will be able to move forward with the investigation.
Conner leaves behind countless friends, who he looked at as his family, as well as his parents, older brother and younger sister.