Nearly six months have passed since the disappearance and subsequent death of 19-year-old Amber Kirwan and the impact of her murder continues to be felt throughout the Nova Scotia community of Pictou County.

Many community members are left wondering who is responsible for her murder and when they will be charged.

"I have young girls…they're in their twenties," says area resident Cindy Rizzotti. "I'm not happy with any kids walking at nighttime anymore. Just makes you concerned for the safety of our community."

Kirwan disappeared over Thanksgiving in 2011 after she left Dooly's in downtown New Glasgow.

She had planned to meet her boyfriend, Mason Campbell, just five minutes up the street at Big Al's convenience store. But Kirwan never made it to the store and a massive search was launched for the teen.

Her body was found less than a month later, in a shallow grave on a property in Heathbell. Rumours have run rampant since the discovery, but no one has been charged with her murder.

Shortly after Kirwan's death, posters, pictures and candles filled the stone wall across from Dooly's in memory of the teen, but the mementos are long gone.

"The wall was cleaned up and people are paying respect to it…and I couldn't ask for any better," says property owner Wayne Spears, who is trying to sell the property.

The young woman's murder came as a shock to the quiet community and many residents say the streets of New Glasgow will never be the same after her tragic death.

"I never had that feeling before, but I certainly feel it now," says area resident Jessie MacPhee.

Police in the area refuse to comment on the case and continue to ask for the public's patience and support.

The Kirwan family isn't commenting, nor is Mason Campbell, but the community hasn't forgotten about the teen, dubbed "Pictou County's Angel."

Fundraising efforts continue for the Amber Kirwan Memorial Fund at the Nova Scotia Community College in Stellarton, where Kirwan had applied to the nursing program.

Kirwan's parents received her program acceptance letter just two days before police found her body on November 5.

Now the Kirwans and the Stellarton campus have established the fund, which will be distributed annually to nursing students attending the school.

Family friend Sherry Blinkhorn is one of many people working to reach a goal of $25,000.

"The fund could go on for years and years based on the interest alone, if we can raise that much money," says Blinkhorn.

The school hopes the first Amber Kirwan Award will be presented at a graduation ceremony in June.

In the meantime, the community has organized a march in Kirwan's memory. The Respect for Women march will be held in New Glasgow on May 27.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Dan MacIntosh