Vigil honors three killed in Riverbank

RIVERBANK -- More than 50 friends and neighbors gathered Tuesday night to remember three people stabbed to death Sunday on Arcaro Drive.

Friends and relatives have identified the victims as Donna Norton, Judy Niemi and Tony Niemi, family members of Jesse Frost, 38, whom authorities arrested in the killings. According to friends and family, Norton was Frost's mother, Judy Niemi was his sister, and Tony Niemi was his brother-in-law.

The mourners gathered in front of the house where the three were stabbed.

An 18-year-old man remains hospitalized but is expected to survive. All four victims were stabbed, authorities said.

Frost is scheduled to appear in Stanislaus County Superior Court at 1:30 p.m. today.

A family member said Tuesday that the bodies are scheduled to be released to the family today. The bodies likely will be cremated, he said, but a memorial service has not been scheduled.

A trust fund for Judy Niemi's four children, under the name Morgan-Niemi, has been set up at Oak Valley Community Bank, 125 N. Third Ave., Oakdale. The bank can be reached at 848-2265.

Bee staff writer Emilie Raguso can be reached at eraguso@modbee.com or 578-2235.