"A beautiful person": Friends, family hold vigil for woman killed while riding her bike

Las Vegas (KSNV) — Loving. Compassionate. A glowing light: All words used by family and friends to describe 56-year old Michelle Weissman, who died while riding her bike Sunday.

Dozens paid their respects in a Thursday vigil, bringing flowers, balloons and memories of a woman which friends say radiated joy.

"She was always happy, always smiling," said former co-worker Margarita Diaz. "She was a beautiful person, a beautiful soul."

Police say Weissman was riding her bike down Hollywood in the morning when a passenger in a minivan leaned outside the vehicle and struck her. Weissman fell to her death, while the passenger of the car also fell from the moving car, hitting a pole and dying on the scene.

The driver is currently in custody, facing multiple charges.

"Who comes fifty miles an hour and pushes somebody," said Elena Presilla, Weissman's best friend. "Who does that? It was like a bullet hitting her."

While friends and family grieved her senseless death, they also remembered her sweet and genuine spirit.

Michael Lucchesi said he knew Michelle since high school.

"Most positive woman in the world I've ever known," he said. "Sweetest, kindest girl."

Her husband Lonny Weissman said his wife was a special soul: loving, kind and compassionate.

"She made this world a much happier and better place," he said. "She could walk into a room, and all of a sudden, it would be a hundred times brighter than what it was before."

Michelle--known by loved ones as "Shelli"--was a Las Vegas native, who friends say worked at several resorts in town. At the time of her death, loved ones said she thrived as the hotel manager at the Cannery on Craig road.

A representative with Boyd Gaming released a statement saying: "We are deeply saddened by the tragic and senseless loss of our team member, Shelli. She was well-known and well-liked by the entire Cannery team, and we will miss her. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends during this very difficult time."

So many loved ones shared glowing memories of their times with Michelle.

"Never walked by you without a smile on her face," said co-worker Scott Kelly.

"Shelli was the sweetest, most jovial person I ever met," said co-worker Wayne Durke.

"There's no one perfect on earth," said Presilla. " But let me tell yah, she came pretty close."

But as loved ones struggle with the overwhelming pain and grief, many say they're holding onto the love and light she shined into so many lives.

"She was taken, but she will never be forgotten," said Lucchesi.