Vigil held for Whitney Houston's daughter in her hometown

Riverdale - Hundreds of people lit candles, shined flashlights and held their glowing cellphones toward the sky as they gathered in suburban Atlanta on Monday night to pray for the late Whitney Houston's daughter, who is fighting for her life in a hospital after being found face-down in a bathtub late last month.

"Shining a Light for Healing for Bobbi Kristina Brown" was held at the Riverdale Town Centre amphitheatre south of Atlanta, a venue that Brown's father, singer Bobby Brown, christened as its first performer in 2010, said event organiser Corey Punzi, the city's marketing specialist.


(Residents praying for Bobbi Kristina. AP)

Bobbi Brown is the only child between Bobby Brown and Houston. Her relatives have said she is "fighting for her life" at an Atlanta hospital.

Fans have also been sending their love to Brown through social media.

Check out what they had to say on Twitter:

Praying for @REALbkBrown my heart is broken. First #Whitney now her only child #BobbiKristina God we ask for your mercy. Goodnight.

— Sophia A. Nelson (@IAmSophiaNelson) February 10, 2015

Police, citing an ongoing investigation, have not disclosed many details of the circumstances in which Brown was found. Houston was also found unresponsive in a bathtub on 11 February 2012, and later died.

Riverdale Mayor Evelyn Wynn-Dixon was among those who sang gospel hymns on stage, as members of the crowd sang and danced along.

The tragedy of the daughter of a legend I grew up admiring going down the same sad path as her mom... ??#BobbiKristina #RIPWhitneyHouston

— Kay Sexwale (@kaysexwale) February 5, 2015

Several vigil speakers touched on the struggles and scrutiny Brown's family has faced in recent years, comparing them to their own trials and tribulations.

"They bleed and hurt like us," Wynn-Dixon told the crowd before singing the gospel song "There's a leak in this old building."


(AP)

Brian and Poco Reese, both 52, of Johns Creek, Georgia, said they would make the roughly 64km drive back home feeling refreshed, uplifted and hopeful for Bobbi Kristina's recovery.

"We watched her grow over the years. We love her," Poco Reese added. "You know, with everything she's gone through, with everything she's endured, we love her even more."