A celebration of life will be held for a Vandalia man more than a month after he was murdered.

Matthew Stewart was killed on Nov. 30, 2023, but it took investigators several weeks to release his body to his family. The celebration will be at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 6, at the Beacon of Hope Church at 201 North Jefferson in Vandalia.

Two people were arrested in connection with the alleged shooting including a juvenile and Christopher M. Brickey, 18, Laddonia.

According to court documents a person who lived with Stewart told investigators that Brickey and the juvenile defendant showed up at the residence for what they believed to be a gun sale between Stewart and the defendants. The witness told investigators the three left together to test the weapon before the sale was completed.

The witness told investigators they contacted Stewart shortly after he left on his cell phone. The witness said when Stewart answered his phone he said he had been shot. Additionally, the witness said they heard gunshots before the call disconnected.

According to court records after investigators located the two suspects during an interview Brickey told police that the meeting was to settle a dispute between the juvenile and Stewart. Brickey told police he initially shot Stewart but he was able to start running away. Brickey told investigators as Stewart ran away they both opened fire on him.

Brickey remains in custody in the Audrain County Jail without bond. Brickey last had a hearing on Dec. 14 where a judge upheld Brickey’s bond status. His next hearing is scheduled for Jan. 18.