TIFTON — The family of Brandi Cole is holding a candle lighting ceremony at Fulwood Park Friday, July 7.

Bring Brandi Cole Home starts at 5:30 p.m., with the main candle lighting set to begin at 8:30 pm.

The day marks the 10-year anniversary of Cole’s disappearance.

Cole was 17 in July 2007 when she was reported missing. Her disappearance left a painful void in her family’s life as they continue searching for answers and closure.

Cole was supposed to have spent the evening with her mother, Shellie Auchtung on July 6, 2007, along with Cole’s daughter. She never showed.

Cole, hazel-eyed with short brown hair, was 5 feet, 7 inches tall.

“She was a good kid, very smart, very talented,” said Auchtung. “We want the community to pull together like Irwin County.”

In Irwin County earlier this year, police received a new tip in the disappearance of Tara Grinstead, an Ocilla teacher who vanished from her home in October 2005 at the age of 30.

That led GBI agents to Ryan Alexander Duke, a 31-year-old who attended Irwin County High when Grinstead taught there.

Duke was arrested and charged with the murder of Grinstead. A week later, his longtime friend, Bo Dukes, was arrested and charged with helping hide the body.

Auchtung would like to see something similar happen with Cole’s disappearance.

“I just want someone to come forth and give anonymous information,” said Auchtung.

Anyone with any information in the case is encouraged to call the Tift County Sheriff’s Office, (229) 388-6020, or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, 1-800-843-5678.