OPELOUSAS, La. (KLFY) Monday night, the family and friends of Kori Gauthier prayed for her safe return home to Opelousas.

The LSU freshman was reported missing Tuesday night in Baton Rouge.Her can was found empty above the Mississippi River with her phone and wallet inside.

Hundreds surrounded the Gauthier family this evening who are still hopeful she will make it back.

The Gauthier family was truly moved by the amount of support they’ve seen from Opelousas, Baton Rouge, and beyond. They were at the center of this prayer vigil tonight, letting them know the community is with them and so is God.

Kori Gauthier is not just a missing person in Opelousas. To the people who came out in her name, she’s a teacher, a friend, a sister, and a daughter.

“It means the world to us. It lets me know that my daughter’s life means something,” said Levar Gauthier, Kori’s father. He understands what Kori means to so many even at her most desperate moment.

“She’s an education major at LSU, and right now she’s teaching not only St. Landry Parish and Opelousas right now, the city of Baton Rouge, but throughout the whole United States and everyone who is reaching out she’s teaching a lesson of unity,” said Gauthier.

Kori Gauthier’s father did revisit the moments that led to his daughter’s disappearance.

He said, “It was a chain of events that led to that phone call, that she wasn’t answering her phone, and the time that elapsed, and some things were mishandled. You know, it’s still eating at me, but I’ll leave that to another day.”

He says now is the time to celebrate Kori and how she brings out the best in everyone.

“I just want to soak this moment in right now with all of the love I’m getting from my community, from Kori’s community,” he said. “Take this lesson from Kori Gauthier is putting out right now and make this world better.”