Family and friends say goodbye to Brockport freshman, Alexandra Kogut

Posted at: 10/04/2012 6:20 PM
By: Amanda Ciavarri | WHEC.com

A Brockport college freshman who was beaten to death was laid to rest Thursday in her hometown.

Hundreds came out to remember 18-year-old Alexandra Kogut Thursday. Officers found her body inside her dorm room Saturday morning.  Her boyfriend, 21-year-old Clayton Whittemore was indicted by a Monroe County Grand Jury Wednesday. He's been charged with second degree murder for Kogut's murder.

It was an emotional service where hundreds came out to remember 18-year-old Alex Kogut. As they said their final goodbyes, there was a message of love thateveryone should love each other the way Alex loved them.

Kogut was remembered as a kind, loving person who was a friend to everyone.

Paige Whitney, friend and teammate, said, "I could go to her with any problem I ever had, and she was just always there."

Kogut's murder is one that has affected everyone in her home town of New Hartford. Earlier Thursday morning, a group placed purple ribbons on trees that lined the road to the church a symbol of how much Kogut meant.

Those came to show how much they loved Kogut. A powerful image was when her swim team lined up as the casket passed by.

Whitney said, "She may not have been the fastest, or one of the fastest girls, on the team. But, by far,she had the most heart. She loved everyone on the team, not only New Hartford, but also Brockport."

And before the service ended, Kogut's godparents gave a message from the teen's parents. They asked everyone to not be angry about what happened. They said to remember Alex's life and not the few tragic moments that took her from the world.

The Brockport Swim Team plan to memorialize Kogut by placing her initials on the sleeves of their warm up uniforms.

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