MADISON, Wis. -- Less than one month after Joel Marino was found fatally stabbed in an alley near Park Street, family and friends gathered on Sunday to remember him with a candlelight vigil.

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"I hope that by coming here we can celebrate the things we all loved about Joel," said Marino's girlfriend Amanda Miller.

"It's still a shock," said Marino's co-worker Doug Kopp. "I don't think it's really settled I yet and I think a lot of people are still unwilling to accept it. I think that's why a lot of people are here tonight to come together and bring the community together."

Kopp said he and others who were close to Marino struggle with his death every day.

"Almost a month after his life, I can truly say, 'Thank you God for Joel. Thank you for using him to show s how we can love in new and fresh ways,'" said Marino's uncle, Dan Parman.

Dozens of people turned out on West Shore Drive on Sunday, where Marino lived. Police also believe it was where he was attacked, WISC-TV reported.

"I know this house may mean something different to all of you, but having spent so much time here with Joel, to me this place will always be the home he shared with me," said Miller. "It will always be the place he lived his busy, intense, beautiful life."

Marino was found stabbed in an alley near his home on Jan. 28. He later died at a local hospital.

Police said that they believe the attack might have been random.

Since then, volunteers have been fanning out across the city passing out flyers and raising money for a reward fund that currently sits around $40,000, WISC-TV reported.

Police said they are actively working the case and continue to follow up on tips left on the Crimestoppers line.

Marino's friends and family said they just hope for closure.

"It keeps it in the eye because I want it to stay there because this is a great little neighborhood here," said Marino's stepmother Debbie Marino.

They also want the public to be aware and be cautious.

"I don't want this to ever happen again to someone," said Debbie Marino. "I don't want someone to walk into someone's house and murder him in the middle of the afternoon."

"I truly believe that we can take comfort in the fact that he is watching over us as we look for answers and try to find peace," said Miller.

Authorities said they are looking for a person of interest who is described as a white man with a thin build who stands around 6 feet 1 inch tall. The person of interest was last seen wearing a stocking cap with a red "W" on the front and a tan, sheepskin-type jacket and carrying a gray-blue newer-looking backpack

They are asking anyone with information to call 608-266-6014.