CNN || Slain student remembered as 'angel' at vigil

Candles illuminated the somber faces of hundreds of people who gathered Friday night near the University of Nevada-Reno for a vigil to remember slain college student Brianna Denison.

Students who never knew her joined Denison's friends at the spot on an empty field where her body was found a week earlier 10 miles from the school.

Handwritten posters said "We love you Bri" and "Shine on us Bri."

One of the speakers urged the community to stay vigilant and safe.

"For a brief moment in time, a beautiful young woman graced us with her presence," said Marc Klaas, whose daughter was kidnapped and murdered in 1993.

"But from now on, for all eternity, Reno, Nevada, will have an angel sitting on God's shoulder looking out for your children."

The horror and fear began on a cold winter night last month. A stranger apparently walked into an off-campus house and abducted the sleeping Denison.

She attended Santa Barbara City College in California, but had returned to her hometown of Reno to spend time with friends and family.

Despite the searches and vigils, all hope of a good outcome vanished when Denison's body was discovered.

Police say they believe her killer is responsible for three other sexually motivated attacks in recent months.

As authorities announced that a serial rapist was on the loose, pepper spray began replacing iPods as the hot item on campus at the University of Nevada-Reno. All the local stores are sold out.

Freshman Britany Maxwell now has six canisters of pepper spray, supplied by her mother. She holds one by her side when she walks on campus at night. Watch how students are protecting themselves

"I carry it with me everywhere," said Maxwell, who no longer feels safe walking alone. "I'm scared. I feel like he could be watching me or my friends at any given moment, deciding to attack again. It's horrible."