WILSON, N.C. — The calls keep coming. Police just hope one will have what they are looking for.

Detectives have gotten nearly 1,000 tips since finding 17-year-old Brittany Willis' body Tuesday. They believe she was murdered.

Willis' funeral is Friday at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church.

Detectives paused in their investigation just long enough Thursday to say a quick prayer near the field where Willis' body was found. The pastors from her church came by to let officers know Willis' friends and family appreciate their hard work.

"Whenever a teenager dies, it's stressful enough," Pastor Keith Sexton said. "But when you're part of the investigation, it can wear you down."

Said Pastor Bill Presnell: "We just wanted them to know that the community stands with them."

Investigators also returned to the shopping center where Willis last was seen alive to hand out reward posters and dispel some rumors. They said stories of another missing teen being found dead and a third teen being abducted had been floating around but were false.

With many unanswered questions and no arrests in the Willis case, people still were concerned.

"It is very scary because you don't know whether to go somewhere or stay home," said Debbie Glover, who lives near where Willis' body was found.

Willis' closest friends gathered to celebrate what would have been her 18th birthday. They tried to remember the good times -- like the prom and graduation -- and collected money for the reward.

Friends said they will do whatever it takes to make sure whoever killed Willis is caught.

"Whoever did it is evil," Kathryn Overton said. "That's the only thing I can say. I wouldn't even call them a person."

Said Malory Overton: "We're just waiting for someone to catch whoever did it, someone to pay."