Repair of the memorial to Krystal Steadman, the child brutally murdered near her South Lake Tahoe home two years ago, will begin at 10 a.m. today on Highway 50 about two miles west of Highway 395. The memorial was targeted by vandals in January.
The steel and wood cross will be replaced with a two-ton steel cross built by Craig Maxwell of Blue Mountain Steel who donated the materials. Shaw construction donated the crane to move the two-ton cross into position.
The effort has been organized by Gary James, a friend of Krystal's father, John Steadman, of Tennessee.
Thomas Soria Sr. and his 19-year-old son., Thomas Jr., were charged with sexually assaulting Krystal Steadman March 19, before cutting her throat and leaving her body by the side of Highway 50 near Carson City.
Soria Jr. entered a plea of guilty and is serving a life sentence without parole. His father committed suicide while in the Douglas County Jail, one day after his murder trial began.
