Slain Temple Student Was 'Unapologetically Herself,' Obituary Says

PHILADELPHIA, — Jenna Burleigh, the Temple University student and Montgomery County native who was tragically murdered last weekend, is remembered as a fiercely independent woman devoted to social justice issues and standing up for those less fortunate than herself.

"Jenna was 'unapologetically herself,'" her obituary states. "She devoted a lot of her time to combating racism, homelessness, and sexism, as well as defending the rights for the L.G.B.T.Q.I.A. community."

Burleigh went missing at around 2 a.m. last Thursday from a bar near Temple in Philadelphia. Her body was then recovered in Hawley, Wayne County – about 140 miles from Philadelphia – Saturday, Sept 2, at Hupperterz's grandmother's home, according to police.

Joshua Hupperterz, 29, has since been charged with murder, abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence, and possession of an instrument of crime.

A vigil in honor of Jenna will be held at Founder's Garden at Temple University on Thursday, from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. A Facebook page for that event has been established here.

Jenna's full obituary, courtesy of Williams - Bergey - Koffel Funeral Home, is included below.

Jenna Nicole Burleigh, 22, of Harleysville, PA, passed away suddenly on September 2, 2017.

Born November 4, 1994 in Harrisburg, PA, she was a daughter of Joseph Edward Burleigh, III and Jacqueline (Zazyczny) Burleigh. She was a 2013 graduate of Souderton Area High School and received her associate degree in liberal arts from Montgomery County Community College. She was currently a junior at Temple University majoring in film and media studies.

Jenna enjoyed spending time with family and friends enjoying life. She devoted a lot of her time to combating racism, homelessness, and sexism, as well as defending the rights for the L.G.B.T.Q.I.A. community. Jenna was “unapologetically herself” and used fashion to express herself. She loved attending the Philadelphia Folk Festival and time spent with her family in Avalon, NJ. She was particularly fond of her younger cousins.

In addition to her parents, she is survived by a sister, Janelle Burleigh; two brothers, Jeb and Jacob Burleigh; her grandparents, Dorothy Burleigh and Joseph and Martha Zazyczny; 13 aunts and uncles; and 13 cousins. Jenna was an animal lover and will also be missed by her dogs, Jay and Koda.

She was preceded in death by a grandfather, Joseph Edward Burleigh, Jr.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her viewing from 5-8PM on Thurs., Sept. 7, at Williams-Bergey-Koffel Funeral Home, Inc., 667 Harleysville Pike, Telford (Franconia Twp.), PA, and on Friday from 9-10:30AM at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church, 1601 Derstine Rd., Hatfield, PA. Friends are also invited to the funeral mass on Friday, September 8 at the church at 11AM. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Jenna’s memory to Jenna’s Blessing Bags for the Homeless. Checks can be made payable to “Univest Foundation – Jenna’s Blessing Bags” and sent to Univest Foundation, 14 N. Main St., P. O. Box 197, Souderton, PA 18964. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.WilliamsBergeyKoffel.com.

Image courtesy Williams Bergey Koffel