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Community Still Coping With Tragic Death Of 8-Year-Old Leiby Kletzky

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- There is a reduced police presence at the home of murder suspect Levi Aron this weekend.

Friday, investigators spent much of the day digging up the yard behind his home in Kensington, Brooklyn, taking away bags of evidence.

Police were still trying to find more clues in the killing of 8-year-old Leiby Kletzky. Aron's home will remain under police guard as the investigation continues.  

Meanwhile, the Kletzky family is now observing the sabbath in private.

Throughout the morning and afternoon Friday, a stream of visitors entered the family's apartment for the Jewish custom of shiva, or seven days of intense mourning.

"I came as a parent, I came as a Jew, I came as a human being and I came as their brother, to be honest with you," said neighbor Fred Betesh.

"We are all so hurt, the hurt and pain, just as people," said neighbor Claire Notwicz.

Others came to stand outside, trying to make sense of it all, especially for their children.

"I said God loves kids. We don't understand why God did it," said family friend Jonathan Schwartz. "Obviously I didn't give all the details of what happened."

Outside the Kletzky apartment in Borough Park, is a printed statement posted by the family that says:

"We are forever grateful to God. We would also like to express to each and every individual, to our friends and neighbors and our fellow New Yorkers and to all the volunteers and to all from around the world who had us in their thoughts and prayers, from the depths of our mourning hearts, thank you."

This period of mourning will continue after the sabbath, after sundown on Saturday. Until then, the parents will mostly be alone to pray and to reflect, finding their own way through their faith.

WCBS 880's Marla Diamond reports: At Synagogues, Prayers For Leiby Kletzky

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During the sabbath at synagogues around the city, spiritual leaders are grappling with how best to explain the horrific murder of the 8-year-old boy.  

Like many rabbis all across the city, Dovid Goldwasser will focus his sermon entirely on Leiby Kletzky.

"We have never had a tragedy on this level," said Goldwasser. "There is a void that simply cannot be filled. We are on the other hand, a little bit more complete because we've all banded together."

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