ORLANDO, Fla. -- Family and friends gathered on Wednesday to say goodbye to Fabiana Malave, the 19-year-old Orlando woman who was laid to rest after an emotional funeral in east Orange County.

The funeral was held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints near Dean Road and University Boulevard.

"We've know her since she was a little girl," said Jennifer Coranado. "It's just hard. I have a daughter, too. I can only imagine how it would feel."

Tears flowed at the church, as family members struggle to cope with the fact that Malave's life was taken away at the hands of a killer.

"They are very sad. They have a lot of pain," said Ben Morelos, a family friend.

Malave was described as charming and funny with an infectious laugh.

Malave was working alone at a Longwood used car lot when William Davis III allegedly kidnapped her at knifepoint, forced her to his Pine Hills home and sexually assaulted her before strangling her.

Malave's friends say it's frustrating to know that Davis is a violent ex-convict who was out on parole when he allegedly attacked Malave. Davis had a warrant for his arrest and was confronted a week before Malave's death by law enforcement agents conducting a probation sweep. Officers, however found no evidence that he was a wanted man, so he was not arrested.

"I'm personally angry because I hear there are a lot of people who should be in jail. If they would have arrested him before, maybe this would not have happened. It's something that could have been prevented, and I think that's what hurts all of us most," said Shaney Parra, a friend of Malave.

Mourners said they hope Malave's death will change the way violent offenders can be released back into society.

"Nothing like this should happen to any family. We just trust our local leaders and judges and all in power to protect our kids and children and not let anything like this happen again," Ernesto Castillo said.

Davis has allegedly admitted to killing Malave. He is being being held without bond at the Seminole County Jail.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.