Irwin family holds vigil for Baby Lisa on 1-year anniversary of her disappearance

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - They spent a year getting ready, but it was a day for which the Irwin family could never be prepared.

As a song with the lyrics "Don't Give Up" played in the background, dozens of people stood on the Irwin family's lawn, holding light pink and yellow cups with candles inside. Tears rolled down Deborah Bradley's cheeks as she struggled to read through a prayer written by strangers to support her family, as they search for her missing daughter, Lisa.

"I cannot ease your aching heart nor take your pain away," she read, breaking down. "But let me stay and take your hand and walk with you today."

Fighting frustration, the family still knows nothing about Lisa Irwin's whereabouts -- the baby with the big blue eyes that everyone knows but no one can find. She's now almost two years old.

Looking for Lisa: Pictures of Lisa Irwin http://bit.ly/SDBBJT

The Irwin family honored Lisa by sharing their spotlight with families of other missing people like Kara Kopetzky and Carol Thompson.

"I was honored," said Judy Courtney, Thompson's sister, about being invited to the vigil. "I understand the world of the missing, but I don't think i could ever be as strong as she is being today."

"It means a lot to us for Lisa," said Jeremy Irwin, briefly speaking to reporters after the vigil about the sea of support that showed up for his daughter.

While they fight to focus on Lisa, controversy continued even one year later as rumors swirled about the family not cooperating  with police. Kansas City Police as much as said so in a release last week. That is something the family attorney wants permanently put to rest.

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"One hundred percent of the questions have been answered," said John Picerno. "One hundred percent of the questions will be answered in the future."

"We just ask that you keep it up and keep Lisa in your prayers and keep thinking of her because we are absolutely not giving up until she comes home," said Bradley.

The family still advertises a $100,000 reward from an anonymous benefactor and ask anyone with information to call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.