Vigils planned for Amanda Wienckowski

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Buffalo Police are investigating the discovery of a woman's body found in a garbage tote.

As the family of Amanda Wienckowski, 20, waits for answers, they also want to clear her name.

Amanda Wienckowski's family and friends are devastated by her death, and wanted to share more of their thoughts Saturday night.

The young woman's body was found Friday morning in a garbage tote outside a church on Spring Street.

She'd been missing since December 7th.

Police took a person of interest in for questioning a short time after the discovery was made.

Police say he hasn't been charged with anything.

Police sources have said Amanda was involved with heroin and prostitution.

Amanda's family says she had trouble with drugs in the past, but refuse to believe she had any involvement in prostitution.

Her family says she had just enrolled at Niagara County Community College, and wanted to pursue a career as a corrections officer.

"My daughter as far as I know never did prostitution and I just want everybody to know that," said Amanda's Mother, Leslie Brill Fink.

Amanda's sister, Kristen McCrea, said, "Yeah she has a past but it has absolutely nothing to do with any sexual acts! So whatever her past is, that's fine, we can talk about that. I mean the prostituting obviously is what's getting everybody so where does it end?"

Amanda's family has set up a fund called "Amanda received her wings" at any Bank of America branch.

Amanda's family will hold a vigil beginning at 6 Sunday night, at 157 Spring Street.

Friends will hold a separate vigil one hour later, across the street, at Spring and Clinton Streets.