The crowd at Wednesday night’s memorial for Melissa and Mark Hortman stretched down the steps of the State Capitol and across the lawn. People hugged and cried. Volunteers distributed candles and water.

A break-in has been reported at the home of slain Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman, authorities said. After the Saturday morning killings, the house was processed by crime scene investigators and then was boarded up early Sunday, Brooklyn Park police said. On Tuesday, the Hortman family took their valuables from the house, police said.

They are remembering her for her peerless leadership, sense of humor, institutional knowledge of the Legislature and deep commitment to doing good work to improve the lives of Minnesotans.